Pre-feasibility study for Straseni–Gutinas Liberty Line power line completed; PM says partnership with United States delivers concrete results for Moldova's energy security

Moldova, with the support of the United States, has taken a new step in developing the strategic Liberty Line project, the third high-voltage electricity interconnection with Romania. Today, the pre-feasibility study for the 400 kV Straseni–Gutinas overhead power line was presented. The document was handed to Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu by Nick Pietrowicz, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States in Moldova.

“The strategic partnership with the United States delivers concrete results for the energy security of Moldova. The feasibility study for Liberty Line represents an important step towards establishing a new energy connection with the European Union and towards strengthening the resilience of our power system,” said Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

The line will be built with non-reimbursable funding from the U.S. Government, which has allocated 130 million dollars, and will be the third high-voltage interconnection between Moldova and the European power system via Romania, after the Vulcanesti–Chisinau and Balti–Suceava projects. The project will help strengthen energy security, increase the electricity import and export capacity, and accelerate Moldova’s integration into the European energy market.

According to the presented study, the 400 kV Straseni–Gutinas line will have an estimated length of approximately 70 km on the territory of Moldova and will cross 25 localities in the districts of Straseni, Nisporeni, Calarasi, and Hancesti. The project will contribute to increasing the electricity transfer capacity between Moldova and the ENTSO-E area, helping to improve supply security and to develop a competitive energy market.

During the discussions, the sides also addressed other topics of common interest, including recent developments in the energy sector, the development of electricity transmission infrastructure, investments in new energy generation and storage capacities, as well as opportunities to strengthen the Moldovan–American cooperation in the energy security field.