PHOTO Vulcanesti - Chisinau overhead power line's construction

Chisinau, Oct. 31 /MOLDPRES/- In Congaz, Gagauzia, work has started on assembling the first pylons of Vulcanesti-Chisinau Overhead Power Line (OPL), which will cross eight districts and 34 localities. Work is being carried out simultaneously at several work sites, with teams of workers involved in both the foundation work and the assembly of the pillars. Officials say the power line should be completed on schedule by late 2025.

The construction site where the first pillars were assembled in Congaz, Gagauzia, was visited on Wednesday by several journalists during a press tour, who were accompanied by Energy Minister Victor Parlicov, director of the Consolidated Unit for the Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE) Ruslan Surugiu and deputy head of Moldelectrica Sergiu Carmanschi.

Energy Minister Victor Parlicov noted that the project has been expected for more than 30 years. "This power line will allow us to depend less on the critical infrastructure on the left bank of the Dniester, to ensure that Moldovan consumers will have electricity, regardless of situation on the left bank of the Dniester that we do not control. Finally, especially after we finalize the two interconnection lines with Romania - Balti-Suceava and Strășeni-Gutinaș, we will integrate the Moldovan energy market into the European energy market," said Victor Parlicov.

UCIPE Director Ruslan Surugiu said that efforts are being made to complete the power line on schedule, by the end of 2025. As for the expropriation procedure, the compensation of the land necessary for the construction works is currently underway in 25 localities out of the total of 34.

The construction of the power line is part of a larger project that also aims to modernize Chisinau power station and expand Vulcanesti power station. 

The construction works of the Vulcanesti - Chisinau power line started in April this year. According to the project, the power line will have 503 pillars and will cross eight districts and 34 localities.

The initiative is part of the urgent measures of the Government and the Ministry of Energy aimed at ensuring the country's energy security. Depending on the regime of the power system, the LEA will be able to ensure the transit of up to 630 MVA, limited only by the capacity of the transformers in the Chisinau station, which could meet the needs of more than 50% of the energy consumption during the peak consumption period.

The Power System Development Project's value is 61 million euros, of which about 27 million euros are for the construction of the Line. The project is financed by the World Bank, the beneficiary being Moldelectrica and energy consumers.