Moldova to benefit from European grant, used through EBRD, for interconnection of electric energy networks with Romania

6 February 2025, Chișinău - Moldova will receive a grant worth 15.4 million euros for the co-financing of the 400-kV Balti-Suceava overhead power line – the second phase of the project on interconnection of the electric energy networks between Moldova and Romania.

The agreement on grant today was signed by Prime Minister Dorin Recean, the head of the office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Moldova, Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, and the acting director general of the Moldelectrica enterprise, Sergiu Aparatu.

The support provided by EBRD represents a 20-per cent financing of the project of the 400-kV Balti-Suceava overhead power line. Also, the financial means will be used for the rehabilitation of the national electric transport network, through replacing the obsolete equipment.

The PM stressed the importance of the access to the European energy markets. He noted that the support on behalf of the European Union helped Moldova avoid Russia’s energy blackmail and consolidate its energy security.

„Presently, we have electricity and heating due to our partners and the fact that, in the last four years, the government has made active, strategic steps which freed us from blackmail and dependence. This additional agreement implies free of charge financial means for building power lines of interconnection with Romania and to ensure the deliveries of electric energy, independently, from the European market and respectively, for us to make sure that we can no longer be blackmailed,’’ Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.

For her part, the head of the EBRD office in Moldova, Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, said that the assistance by the European Bank would strengthen the government’s efforts to diversify the energy resources. ‘’This is a project which will help Moldova build a safe and reliable system of supply with electric energy.’’

The overall value of the project on interconnection of the electric energy networks between Moldova and Romania, at its second phase, is of 77 million euros. EBRD and the European Investment Bank have earlier contributed 30.8 million euros for its revitalization till December 2027.