On Tuesday, the Ministry of Energy held a meeting with local public authorities in Bălți Municipality, as well as representatives of Moldelectrica and the Consolidated Unit for the Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE), to discuss the route of the Bălți-Suceava power line in these localities. During the meeting, participants were provided with details regarding the status of the infrastructure project, its importance for ensuring the country’s energy security, and the upcoming procedures, such as declaring the construction works as a public utility of national interest and the land expropriation process.

State Secretary Constantin Borosan emphasized that in cases where the power line route affects private land or land owned by administrative-territorial units, these properties will be subject to the expropriation procedure. Owners will be informed in advance by the responsible authority about this process and their right to consent to fair compensation.

Participants stressed that protecting arable land is a key priority in the construction process of the Bălți-Suceava power line. In this regard, representatives of Moldelectrica, as the project implementation unit, reaffirmed their commitment to identifying optimal technical solutions to minimize the impact on agricultural land and the environment.

"The Bălți-Suceava line is of vital importance for the energy security of the Republic of Moldova. I welcome the openness and collaboration demonstrated in this working format. We are committed to identifying balanced solutions that support the development and sustainability of local communities," stated State Secretary Constantin Borosan.

Currently, tender documents are being prepared for the development of the technical design for the power line construction, the modernization of the Bălți 330 kV substation, and the construction of the new Bălți 400 kV substation. At the same time, the feasibility study has been completed and is awaiting approval.

Recently, the Ministry of Energy finalized and submitted to the State Chancellery, for registration and public consultation, the draft law on declaring the construction of the high-voltage Bălți-Suceava power line as a public utility. This decision will enable the involved authorities and entities to prioritize project implementation, streamline administrative procedures, and secure the necessary resources for its completion.

The investment project will contribute to integrating Moldova’s electricity network into the European Union market by enhancing interconnection with the European ENTSO-E network. As a result, the efficiency of the national energy sector will improve, creating new opportunities for energy development, including renewable sources.

The total cost of the Moldovan segment of the line is €37 million, of which €14.8 million is a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), €14.8 million is a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), and €7.4 million is a grant provided by the European Union through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform.

The Bălți-Suceava line is the second of three planned 400 kV power lines aimed at strengthening Moldova’s interconnection with the European continental energy system (ENTSO-E). The projects include the Vulcănești-Chișinău power line, set for completion in 2025, the Bălți-Suceava line, expected to be completed in 2027, and the Strășeni-Gutinaș power line, planned for completion around 2030.