Moldova launches power line to Romania to cut reliance on Russian energy
Moldova has officially launched a new power transmission line connecting the country to neighbouring Romania and the European grid, in a move to reduce its reliance on Russian energy. President Maia Sandu attended the inauguration ceremony in the capital, Chisinau, on Sunday.
Sandu wrote on X that for decades, Moscow used energy to blackmail Moldova. In her words, no more: Moldova now buys zero Russian gas.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sandu said the project strengthens Moldova's electricity transmission capacity, diversifies its means of supply and reinforces the country's connection to the European energy system.
She also said that two more power lines to Romania are on the way.
The 400-kilovolt extra-high-voltage line runs from the city of Vulcanesti to Chisinau. It allows Moldova to cut its reliance on the Cuciurgan thermal power plant in Transnistria, the pro-Moscow separatist region.
European Commissioner for Energy Marta Kos, who was at the ceremony, said Moldova could now buy energy where it is cheapest.
Moldova, a country of 2.6 million people wedged between Romania and Ukraine, received most of its gas from Russia via Transnistria and pipelines running through Ukraine.
Sandu said that every time Moldova dares to choose something other than what Moscow wants, they threaten to cut its electricity.
Dubbed the "energy independence line", the power grid was launched two years after the date Moldovan authorities initially promised.
Last month, Moldova's parliament approved a government-requested state of emergency until November 20 as the country tries to ease gas shortages amid soaring world energy prices.
Some in Europe have blamed Moscow for the skyrocketing gas prices, accusing it of withholding additional supplies to put pressure on the continent.
Tensions are also rising in the Black Sea region. Last month, Romania blamed Russia for a drone strike that sank a cargo ship off Romania's Black Sea coast, killing one crew member and leaving three others missing. Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria have called on NATO to fast-track additional surveillance capabilities to protect commercial shipping in the Black Sea. NATO said it would send more maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea.
