Moldova Approves Cross-Border Power Transmission Project Bill, Construction Planned for Completion by 2032

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 7, the Moldovan government approved a draft bill designating the Strășeni–Gutiinaș 400 kV cross-border transmission line and associated substation works as a project of national public interest, with construction planned for completion by 2032. The project connects the power grids of Moldova and Romania, with a total length of approximately 190 kilometers, of which about 70 kilometers lie within Moldova. The U.S. government has pledged USD 130 million in funding support. Previously, on October 5, the U.S. Embassy in Moldova announced that the line would be named the "Trump Liberty Line."

The new line starts from the Strășeni substation in Moldova and connects to the Gutiinaș substation in Romania. The route within Moldova passes through 25 localities in four districts: Strășeni, Călărași, Nisporeni, and Hîncești. The works also include the modernization and expansion of the existing 330 kV Strășeni substation to accommodate the new 400 kV transmission line. The project is the third 400 kV cross-border power interconnection line planned by the two countries.

The draft bill approved by the government sets out special arrangements for procedures including land expropriation, urban planning, construction, road management, and real estate registration. The Moldovan state-owned enterprise IPOT will undertake the preliminary work for cadastral registration of land and real estate along the route, and affected landowners will receive expropriation compensation in accordance with relevant regulations. Compensation for permanent land occupation shall not be lower than the assessed value, while temporary land occupation shall be calculated based on the duration of use; construction areas involving archaeological heritage must complete archaeological clearance procedures first. Land compensation, cadastral registration, and related administrative costs shall be borne by Moldova's state budget.

Regarding project implementation organization, Moldova's Ministry of Energy, the national transmission system operator Moldelectrica, the U.S. engineering consultancy Black & Veatch, and the U.S. Embassy in Moldova established a joint working group in early October. Black & Veatch was previously designated to provide consulting services for the line's tendering and construction procedures. According to implementation materials previously published by Moldova's Ministry of Energy, the project has completed a preliminary route study for the cross-border line, and Moldova and Romania's transmission system operators have coordinated the border grid connection point and line route.

The project funding commitment was confirmed by the U.S. side in September 2025. Project materials published by Moldova's Ministry of Energy in 2026 show that the project is still advancing preliminary feasibility studies and related preparatory work. With the government's approval of the draft bill on the designation of national public interest, subsequent legislative procedures, land formalities, and project tendering and construction preparation still need to be completed.