Moldova opens a new power line to Europe and says it buys zero Russian gas

What happened. On November 8, Moldova opened the Vulcanesti-Chisinau line. It is a 400 kV overhead line of about 157 km that links the Vulcanesti substation in the south with the Chisinau substation. It bypasses the Cuciurgan power hub, which Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu says is controlled by the authorities in Tiraspol. President Maia Sandu and EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos attended the launch.

How much it adds. Moldova 1 reports the line can carry up to 630 MVA, more than 50% of Moldova's consumption at peak times. Power comes from Romania and, more widely, from the European grid of ENTSO-E operators. The whole project cost about 61 million euros, with about 27 million euros for the line itself. The World Bank approved the financing in 2019.

Why it took so long. The line was first meant to start in August 2024. Building ended in November 2025, followed by testing and substation upgrades. Moldova 1 had earlier reported a delayed transformer.

What comes next. Sandu wrote on X that Moldova buys zero Russian gas and that two more lines to Romania are on the way. The first, Balti-Suceava, costs about 77 million euros, including a 15.4 million euro EU grant plus EBRD and EIB funds, with building from 2027. The second, Straseni-Gutinas, has 130 million dollars from the US and is due by 2032. Marta Kos said Moldova's dependence on Russian energy has ended.

Confirmed facts

• On November 8, 2026, Moldova opened the 400 kV Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line, about 157 km long.^[2][3]
• The line bypasses the Cuciurgan power hub and adds a route to import power from Romania and the ENTSO-E grid.^[2]
• It can carry up to 630 MVA, more than 50% of the country's peak consumption.^[2]
• The project cost about 61 million euros, with World Bank financing approved in 2019.^[2][3]
• Maia Sandu wrote that Moldova buys zero Russian gas and that two more power lines to Romania are on the way.^[1]
• The Balti-Suceava line costs about 77 million euros with building from 2027; the US approved 130 million dollars for Straseni-Gutinas, due by 2032.^[2]

Implications

• ConfirmedMoldova now has a second major route to import electricity from Romania.
• Our readingIt will be easier for the country to buy power on the European market and harder for one plant to cut its lights. This is our view.
• Our readingPower bills will not drop right away: prices depend on the market in Romania and the EU. This is our view.

Still unknown

• How household power tariffs will change
• How much power Moldova will actually import over the new line this winter
• Whether the next two lines will be on time

Who it affects

Moldova, Romania, Europe. People in Moldova and Romania, and anyone tracking European energy and power markets

Sources

1. Maia Sandu, President of Moldova (X): Today we launched the Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line November 8, 2026 · official
2. Moldova 1 (TRM): Moldova inaugurates strategic Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line November 8, 2026 · media
3. Logos Press: The Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line has been inaugurated November 8, 2026 · media