The number of workers on the construction sites of the Vulcănești – Chișinău Power Line will be increased starting next week, as informed by representatives of the companies involved in the construction during an inspection visit by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Constantin Borosan.

The official visited the Chișinău Electrical Substation of Moldelectrica, where the future high-voltage power line will connect. Currently, construction work is underway for the transformer foundation, as well as the installation of equipment in the distribution facility and the metal portals at the Chișinău Substation. At this location, construction can continue under the current weather conditions, considering the proximity of construction material suppliers and access routes. The number of workers on this site was already increased by 10 at the end of December, following a request from the Ministry of Energy.

The modernization of the Chișinău 330kV Substation, along with the expansion of the Vulcănești 400kV Substation, will allow the Vulcănești – Chișinău 400kV Overhead Power Line to connect to the power infrastructure in the southern and central regions of the country, including Chișinău municipality. This infrastructure is essential for the direct transmission of energy flows to the country's largest energy consumption hub.

Assembly work on the line’s pylons is ongoing, and once weather conditions permit, foundation pouring for the pylons will resume.

So far, over 200 pylon foundations have been constructed, and approximately 30 pylons have been assembled. The construction site spans a distance of about 65 km.

“We want to ensure on-site that the work on the Vulcănești – Chișinău power line is progressing on schedule and urge all involved parties to demonstrate maximum openness and effort. Given this line’s strategic importance for energy security, I also call on all landowners subject to expropriation to cooperate. Approximately 6,000 properties are affected, many of them very small, but each affected person must be compensated,” said Borosan.

The overall progress of the project is approximately 49%, referring to several activities and critical stages that need to be ensured, including before starting direct construction work. These include conducting aerial topography, drafting, verifying, and approving the technical project, testing soil, equipment, and materials, testing the resistance of various types of foundations and pylons, delivering necessary equipment and materials, compensating landowners, and many other important processes essential for the project's successful implementation.

Construction work officially began in April 2024, following the drafting and approval of the technical project and completion of pre-construction conditions. The work is currently underway in the Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial Unit, as well as in Leova, Cahul, and Taraclia districts. The materials and components required for the power line construction have been produced and delivered at 90%.

The work on the power line is being carried out by KEC International Limited, while the Chișinău Substation work is being handled by a consortium of Siemens Energy SRL, Electromontaj SA, and Energotech SA.