The Works Required for the Construction of a Back-to-Back (BtB) Converter Station in Vulcănești and the 400 kV Overhead Power Line (LEA) from Vulcănești to Chișinău May Be Declared of Public Utility and National Interest
At the government meeting held on January 20 of this year, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of a Preliminary Investigation Commission for the declaration of public utility of national interest for the construction works of the overhead power line and the construction of a Back-to-Back station in Vulcănești, as part of Phase I of the Project for the Interconnection of the Power Grids between the Republic of Moldova and Romania.
The construction of a Back-to-Back (BtB) converter station in Vulcănești and a 400 kV overhead power transmission line (LEA) along the Vulcănești–Chișinău route, approximately 158 km in length, under this Project, represents a significant step for our country toward integration into the European single electricity market through asynchronous interconnection with Romania’s power grid.
This will increase capacity, improve the reliability of Moldova’s electricity transmission system, and enhance the country’s energy security by diversifying electricity supply sources.
Given the importance of the works to be executed, the Preliminary Investigation Commission will be established by the Government and will include one representative from each of the following institutions: the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment, the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre, the Ministry of Finance, as well as the presidents of districts and mayors of the localities where Project works will be carried out.
The preliminary investigation for declaring the public utility of national interest will be carried out for the BtB station in Vulcănești and the 400 kV LEA, which will cross the territory of 35 localities, including ATU Gagauzia and Chișinău municipality. The Project also foresees the modernization/expansion of the 330 kV Chișinău and 400 kV Vulcănești substations.
If the Commission finds that the construction of the BtB station and the 400 kV LEA meets the objectives and interests of society and is of public utility and national interest, the necessary legal steps will be taken to initiate the land expropriation process required for these construction works.
At this stage, the Unit for the Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects is conducting the procurement procedure for construction services for the 400 kV overhead line and the extension of the 330 kV Chișinău substation. The tender for the construction of the Back-to-Back station will be launched soon.
Consequently, project works are expected to begin at the end of this year.
The total funding for the Project amounts to approximately €260 million, of which €80 million is a loan from the EBRD, €80 million is financing from the EIB, €61 million consists of loans from the International Development Association (IDA), and €39.9 million is a grant provided by the EBRD.