Moldova Opens New High‑Voltage Power Link with Romania to Boost Energy Independence

Moldovan President Maia Sandu says ‘two more power lines to Romania are on the way’.

Published On 9 Nov 2026

Moldova has officially launched a new power line linking the country to Romania and the European grid, aimed at reducing reliance on Russian energy supplies.

“For decades, Moscow used energy to blackmail us,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on X on Sunday. “No more: Moldova buys zero Russian gas,” she added.

Moldova, a nation of 2.6 million people situated between Romania and Ukraine, previously sourced most of its gas from Russia via the pro‑Moscow separatist region of Transnistria and pipelines through Ukraine.

“Thanks to this project, we are strengthening our electricity transmission capacity, diversifying our supply sources and reinforcing the connection of the Republic of Moldova to the European energy system,” Sandu said during the inauguration ceremony in Chisinau.

She also announced that “two more power lines to Romania are on the way”.

European Commissioner for Energy Marta Kos, who attended the ceremony, said Moldova could now “buy energy where it is cheapest”.

The 400‑kilowatt extra‑high‑voltage line, running from Vulcanesti to Chisinau, enables Moldova to reduce dependence on the Cuciurgan thermal power plant in Transnistria.

“Every time Moldova dares to choose something other than what Moscow wants, they threaten to cut our electricity,” Sandu noted.

Last month, Moldova’s parliament approved a government‑requested state of emergency until November 20 as the country seeks to alleviate gas shortages amid soaring global energy prices.

Some European nations have blamed Moscow for the sharp rise in gas prices, accusing Russia of withholding additional supplies to increase pressure on the continent.

European‑aligned states in the Black Sea region report renewed attacks that they allege are carried out by Russia.

Last month, Romania attributed a drone strike that sank a cargo ship off its Black Sea coast to Russia, resulting in one fatality and three missing crew members.

Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria have called on NATO to “fast‑track the additional surveillance capabilities” to protect commercial shipping in the Black Sea as fighting in Russia’s war on Ukraine escalates.

NATO announced it will deploy additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones to the Black Sea.

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