Ukrenergo Plans to Connect the Power Grids of Ukraine and Romania via Moldova

NPC Ukrenergo is considering the possibility of expanding cross-border electricity interconnections, which could eventually link the power systems of Ukraine and Romania via Moldova. This is stated in a press release from Ukrenergo. Issues relating to the development of energy infrastructure were discussed during a meeting between Ukrenergo’s management and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Moldova to Ukraine, Victor Chirila, reports logos-pres.md. The talks focused on preparations for the coming autumn-winter period, strengthening the resilience of power systems, and the further integration of the Ukrainian and Moldovan electricity markets into the European energy area. “Preparations for the coming winter are currently a very pressing issue for Ukrenergo and our Moldovan colleagues. It is also important for us to increase the technical capacity of our interconnections, which requires the construction of new power lines. We have very clear projects, the implementation of which will strengthen inter-state connections between Ukraine and Moldova, and in the long term – with Romania as well. This will also strengthen our overall resilience and expand opportunities for balancing power systems in the region,” noted Vitalii Zaichenko, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo. For his part, Victor Chirila, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Ukraine, expressed his gratitude for the Ukrainian side’s prompt response during emergencies and highlighted the importance of continuing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, particularly given the interconnection of the two countries’ power systems. The power systems of Ukraine and Moldova were synchronized with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) on 16 March 2022. Integration into the common European electricity market is now also a pressing issue for NPC Ukrenergo and Moldelectrica. This requires both legislative changes and the implementation of technical solutions. The parties also discussed the conclusion of agreements on the provision of emergency assistance in the event of electricity surpluses in the power systems, which will have a positive impact on the quality of their balancing in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. In addition, during the meeting between Vitalii Zaichenko and Victor Chirila, the issue of regulating the maintenance of power lines crossing the Ukrainian-Moldovan border was discussed.