The 158-kilometre Vulccanesti–Chisinau high-voltage power line was inaugurated in the presence of President Maia Sandu, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and representatives of the World Bank. The new 400 kV transmission line will help diversify electricity supply routes and strengthen connections with Romania and the European market, IPN reports.

Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu said that the Vulcanesti–Chisinau power line helps reduce dependence on the Cuciurgan energy hub and strengthens national and regional energy security. He praised the contributions of international partners and the teams involved in designing, building and commissioning the infrastructure.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Maia Sandu said the project marked an important step towards national energy independence. She noted that the project, launched in 2013 and funded through a €61 million agreement with the World Bank, had been scheduled for completion in August 2024, but work had been delayed in part by the war in Ukraine. Construction of the power line was completed in November 2025, and the Vulcănești substation was finished in June 2026. The Chisinau substation subsequently entered the testing phase.

For her part, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that connecting to European power grids gives the country more options for purchasing electricity and helps ensure a secure supply. She noted that although energy infrastructure has become more secure, energy costs remain a burden for many families. She reaffirmed the European Union’s readiness to support the Republic of Moldova in addressing this issue.

Meanwhile, Ulrich Schmitt, the World Bank Group’s Country Manager for Moldova, described the project as the country’s largest investment in electricity transmission infrastructure since independence. He said the institution had supported the project’s implementation for more than five years, with the work involving the construction of a new transmission line passing through approximately 35 localities.

President Maia Sandu announced that the next energy projects will be the Balti–Suceava power line, valued at €77 million, and the Straseni–Gutinas power line, which is being built with support from the United States through a $130 million grant. The head of state also said that the authorities would continue to invest in renewable energy generation and the modernization of electricity grids.