The Vulcănești 400kV Power Station managed by Moldelectrica is to be expanded by constructing an additional 400 kV cell. The design, supply and installation contract for the station expansion was recently signed, with the Contractor (Association of Companies Celin SRL and Energobit SA, Romania) being selected through an international tender procedure.
The Director of the Consolidated Unit for the Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE), Ruslan Surugiu, mentioned that initially the Vulcănești Project envisaged the construction of a Back-to-Back station to ensure the synchronization of the energy system of the Republic of Moldova with the European one. "However, with the connection of the Republic of Moldova's power system to ENTSO-E, the need for synchronization through the Back-to-Back station has disappeared. As a result, the concept regarding the Vulcănești station has transformed into its expansion with a new cell, which also provided a saving of about 200 million Euros that could be directed towards other needs and projects," added Ruslan Surugiu.
According to the General Director of Moldelectrica, Sergiu Aparatu, the new installations will allow the operation of the 400 kV Vulcănești-Chișinău Overhead Power Line, which is under construction, offering the possibility of supplying electricity to the Chișinău node through two options: "The winner of this new cell has been designated. During the meetings we had, the options we have to shorten the time for the execution of the works were mentioned and it was confirmed that we are within the time limit. However, Moldelectrica has other reserve options in case there are certain objective impediments to the contract completion deadline".
The value of the contract is about 3.8 million Euros, and the execution period is up to 16 months. The works are part of the Power System Development Project and are part of the urgent measures of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Ministry of Energy, aimed at ensuring the country's energy security. The project value is 61 million Euros and is financed by the International Development Association, World Bank Group.