Moldova, with USAID support, will build another high-voltage transmission line for better interconnection with Romania's energy system and ENTSO-E.
This was announced by State Secretary of the Energy Ministry Constantin Borosan, who said that at the moment, the construction of the 400 kV Vulcanesti-Chisinau transmission line is already under way, while for the 400 kV Balti-Suceava transmission line, a feasibility study has been completed, an environmental and social impact assessment has been carried out, funds have been allocated and a tender for the design and construction works will be announced by the end of this year. At the same time, it was decided to build a third interconnector to better connect the Moldovan and Romanian power grids. In particular, representatives of Moldelectrica and the Romanian company Transelectrica called the meeting organized in Bucharest by USAID Moldova and the U.S. Energy Association a significant new step in efforts to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries. This strategic cooperation has the potential to increase the stability of Moldova's electricity system and expand access to the European electricity market. Sergiu Aparatu, Acting Director General of Moldelectrica SE, emphasized the importance of these discussions and the cooperation between Moldova and Romania in the energy sector: "The third interconnection represents an important project for Moldova. This initiative will bring significant benefits for access to the European electricity markets, strengthening our strategic cooperation relations with Romania," he said. Moldelectrica representatives discussed with their Romanian counterparts the technical, financial and operational aspects related to the project, emphasizing the importance of transparency and efficiency in its implementation. Earlier, Finance Minister Victor Parlicov said that a part of money has already been reserved for the construction of another transmission line with Romania through the center of Moldova, along the Chisinau-Iasi axis. After determining the best technical solutions, it will be built partially with the U.S. grant from the total amount of the new $300 million grant aid. The head of the Energy Ministry emphasized that, after the completion of several new transmission lines with Romania, Moldova will significantly strengthen the security of electricity supply and will be able to receive electricity even if the entire energy infrastructure on the left bank of the Dniester River fails and the interconnections with Ukraine are destroyed by Russia. "These interconnections have another meaning: not only will we be able to import the necessary amounts of energy from Romania, but we will also become an attractive destination for the production and export of electricity, including renewable energy. We can produce and supply abroad electricity from renewable sources, particularly solar," the Energy Ministry head said. According to him, moreover, after the war in Ukraine ends, Moldova can become a bridge between two major energy markets - Romanian and Ukrainian, a hub through which electricity from Ukraine will be supplied to Romania and other EU countries, and from the EU and Romania, on the contrary, to Ukraine. // 02.11.2023 – InfoMarket
