Construction Site of Vulcanesti-Chisinau line stretches on distance of over 130 km, with 180 Poles assembled, about 380 foundations finished

The construction site of the overhead power line (OPL) Vulcanesti-Chisinau extends over a distance of more than 130 km, with 180 poles assembled and about 380 foundations completed. Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu has made statements to this effect at the show titled, At 360 degrees, broadcast on Radio Moldova.

The minister said that the overall progress of the project's implementation was about 65 percent.

"The overall progress of the project implementation is approximately 65 percent. As for the Line: we have more than 380 foundations completed. We have about 180 poles already assembled. Along the entire length of the 157 km line, work is already being done on a distance of more than 130 km," said Dorin Junghietu.

Additionally, at the Chisinau Electric Station, the works on the foundations for the primary equipment have been completed, and their installation phase has begun. Furthermore, work is being done on the foundations for the autotransformers.

The energy minister assured that the works of construction of the Vulcanesti-Chisinau electric line would be completed by the end of this year, noting that this was a reasonable deadline. "All contractors are positive and maintain their goal of finishing this project by the end of this year. This is a reasonable deadline," said Dorin Junghietu.

The minister emphasized that this was an extremely important project for Moldova, because it would allow our country to transport electricity without passing through the energy hub of MGRES.

"The project is critically important for us. We must remove this situation, by which the Line, in its current configuration, passes through MGRES (Kuchurgan power station). So, the Line must come from Isaccea, Vulcanesti, to the Vulcanesti station and directly to Chisinau, in order to eliminate this delicate situation, this problem in the current configuration," said the minister.

Dorin Junghietu said that each project implemented by the government in the energy sector enhanced the level of energy security and independence of Moldova.

"With every measure implemented by the Government, such as the Vulcanesti-Chisinau Line, the Balti-Suceava interconnector, the Straseni-Gutinas line, increasing the share of renewable energy, implementing energy efficiency measures, we are enhancing the safety and energy independence of Moldova," Dorin Junghietu specified.

The minister said that, through new interconnections with Romania, Moldova would be able to import more electricity, "without being dependent on the East." "In addition, a very important thing, we will also be able to export the surplus of renewable energy. Diversity is the key to energy security," Dorin Junghietu also said.

The works of construction of the Vulcanesti-Chisinau OPL effectively began in April 2024 and are part of the Power System Development Project, financed by the World Bank Group. The project is worth 61 million euros, of which about 27 million euros is for the construction of the Line.

The 400 kV overhead electric line will have a length of 157 kilometers. Thus, over 500 poles and 1,500 kilometers of conductors will create a strategic link between the south and center, intersecting eight districts and 35 localities. Depending on the power system regime, the line will be able to ensure the transit of a flow of up to 630 MVA of power, which could meet 50 per cent of energy consumption during peak demand periods.

The construction of the Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line is a project of strategic importance for the country's energy security. The new power line will allow the transportation of electricity from Romania or other European markets to Chisinau, without passing through the Moldovan power plant placed in the Transnistrian region.