Work progress reviewed at Vulcănești–Chișinău power line site
The Vulcănești-Chișinău Overhead Power Line (OPL) was completed in November 2025. Its operation was tested in January of this year, while work continues at the Chișinău and Vulcănești power stations.
On March 6, a delegation from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) visited the construction site, accompanied by Carolina Novac, the State Secretary from the Ministry of Energy.
At the Chisinau Power Station, significant equipment has already been installed, and preparatory work is underway to assemble the protective equipment container.
Separators and circuit breakers have been installed at the Vulcănești Power Station, and the instrument transformers are currently being delivered for installation.
The Vulcănești-Chișinău overhead line (OHL), often referred to as the "energy independence line," was initially expected to begin operations at the end of last year. However, the authorities have now set a new launch deadline: the line is scheduled to be operational by the end of March, as announced recently by the Minister of Energy, Dorin Junghietu, on Radio Moldova.
According to the Minister, the delay in commissioning the project was due to the late delivery of certain equipment and adverse weather conditions experienced this winter.
The Vulcănești-Chișinău OHL is considered crucial for reducing dependence on the energy infrastructure in the Transnistrian region and for facilitating integration into the European energy market (ENTSO-E).
The length of the Vulcănești-Chișinău overhead line (OHL) is 157 kilometers, featuring over 500 pylons and approximately 1,500 kilometers of conductors.
This line serves as a crucial connection between the southern and central regions of the country, traversing eight districts and 35 localities. Depending on the power system's operational regime, it has the potential to meet over 50 percent of energy consumption during peak demand periods.
The construction project is being implemented by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, specifically through the Ministry of Energy and the Unit for the Implementation of Energy Projects (UCIPE). The primary beneficiary of this project is the State Enterprise Moldelectrica.
This undertaking is part of the Power System Development Project, which aims to enhance the country’s energy security. The total project cost is 61 million euros, with approximately 27 million euros allocated for the construction of the Vulcănești-Chișinău line. Funding is provided by the World Bank.
