Moldovan energy minister announces when first quantities of electricity to flow through the Vulcanesti–Chisinau power line

The first kilowatts of electricity are expected to pass through the Vulcanesti–Chisinau Energy Independence Line by the end of next February or early March. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu has made statements to this effect. He specified that technical teams were currently waiting for favorable weather conditions to begin testing the new line.

According to the official, the construction works on the Line have already been completed, and testing works are to follow. However, these could not be carried out so far, because of the unfriendly weather conditions.

“The Vulcanesti–Chisinau Line is the largest energy infrastructure project in the country. If we talk about the line works, the construction works were completed back in December. The start of testing works was planned for the second half of December. However, there is an important aspect. The technical testing standards include a condition: the line must be dry. The conductors, the electric wires must be dry at the moment the technical testing works begin; there must be no ice on the lines, so the climatic conditions must allow this and the line must be dry. Yet, we noticed that, in last December, in the second half of the month, we had rain and snow, so the necessary conditions did not exist. Thus, the contractor could not start these works. They still have works they carry out in parallel, which do not impact the testing works, and once the weather allows, the contractor will conduct the testing works,” said the energy minister at the program “La 360 de grade” (At 360 degrees) on the public radio station.

Dorin Junghietu also said that approximately two more months would be needed, under favorable weather conditions, to complete all the works.

“But if we talk about completing all the works and preparations, I think we are talking about approximately two months. The line was supposed to enter the testing phase, but the weather conditions did not allow us. Therefore, it will probably take about two more months to complete all the works, finalize the testing, and possibly, let’s say, by the end of February or the beginning of March, the first kilowatts of electricity will already pass through this line,” the minister said.

At the same time, according to the minister, the investment cost will be reflected in electricity tariffs. “We are talking about an adjustment of approximately 5 per cent, which means a few cents,” added Dorin Junghietu.

The works of construction of the Vulcanesti–Chisinau overhead power line (OHL) effectively started in April 2024 and are part of the Power System Development Project, financed by the World Bank Group. Its value is 61 million euros, of which about 27 million euros is for the construction of the Line. The Line has a total length of 157 km and crosses 35 localities in eight districts, connecting the Vulcanesti 400 kV Substation with the Chisinau 330 kV Substation. It will be able to transport up to 630 MVA of power, equivalent to over 50 per cent of the country’s required consumption during peak 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 transmission of electricity from Romania or other European markets to Chisinau without passing through the Moldovan Power Plant located in the Transnistrian region.