Moldelectrica completes first testing stage of new 400 kV bay at Vulcănești substation

State Enterprise “Moldelectrica” has successfully completed the grid connection and initial testing stage of the new 400 kV bay at Vulcănești Electric Substation, built as part of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău Overhead Power Line (OHL) project. The company reports that the equipment has successfully passed technical inspections, and the project is moving forward to the next implementation phase.

According to the company, during the monitoring period carried out after energization, the operation of the equipment in normal operating mode, the technical parameters, as well as the protection, control, and automation systems were checked. The results confirmed the proper functioning of the installations and compliance with the technical criteria established for this phase.

At present, Moldelectrica’s specialists are preparing the second testing stage, which will include the energization of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău Overhead Power Line. This involves carrying out a complex set of technical and operational checks, in accordance with the testing programs and safety standards applicable to high-voltage installations.

The power line, with a length of approximately 157 kilometers, will connect the 400 kV Vulcănești Electric Substation with the 330 kV Chișinău Electric Substation. According to the company, the project will strengthen the national electricity transmission infrastructure and increase the capacity of the power system of the Republic of Moldova to operate safely and in an interoperable manner with the European power system.

The project is being implemented under the Power System Development Project, carried out by the Government of the Republic of Moldova through the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Projects Implementation Unit (UCIPE), with financial support from the World Bank Group. The direct beneficiary of the investment is State Enterprise “Moldelectrica”, while the authorities note that the final beneficiaries will be electricity consumers in the Republic of Moldova.

The Vulcănești–Chișinău power line has a length of approximately 157 km and connects the 400 kV Vulcănești Electric Substation with the 330 kV Chișinău Electric Substation. The transmission capacity of the line is up to 630 MVA, which will allow covering more than 50% of Moldova’s electricity consumption during peak periods. The Vulcănești–Chișinău OHL is part of the Power System Development Project of the Republic of Moldova, financed by the World Bank Group. The total value of the project is approximately 61 million euros, of which about 27 million euros are allocated to the construction of the power line.