Moldova receives a 15.4-million-euro grant from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to co-finance the 400-kilovolt (kV) overhead power line between Bălți in Moldova and Suceava in Romania. The project includes the reconstruction of the 400 kV Bălți substation and the upgrading of Moldova’s electricity transmission networks.
The EBRD’s support will cover 20 per cent of the total project cost (77 million euros) through the EU grant, while it also provides a 30.8-million-euro loan, with an additional 30.8 million euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The project aims to increase Moldova’s energy security by further integrating its power system with the European electricity network, ENTSO-E, and strengthening interconnections with Romania and other European partners.
It is also expected to support economic development by ensuring a more reliable electricity supply and the greater flexibility of the system allows the integration of more renewable capacity.
Since 2015, Moldova has been working to diversify its energy sources by strengthening ties with Romania. Currently, its only high-voltage interconnection with its neighbour is the Vulcănești-Isaccea transmission line.