Moldova has launched a new power line to Romania and declared it no longer buys Russian gas, as President Maia Sandu inaugurated the 400-kilowatt Vulcanesti-Chisinau line on November 8, calling it an 'energy independence line' that ends decades of Moscow using energy to pressure her country.
Moldova no longer buys Russian gas, President Maia Sandu said on November 8 as she inaugurated a new power line linking the country to Romania and the European grid. The 400-kilowatt Vulcanesti-Chisinau line, which Sandu called an 'energy independence line', is part of Chisinau's broader effort to deepen ties with Europe and end its energy dependence on Moscow.
Moldova, a country of 2.6 million people wedged between Romania and Ukraine, previously received most of its gas from Russia via its pro-Moscow separatist region of Transnistria and pipelines running through Ukraine. The line allows Moldova to cut reliance on the Cuciurgan thermal power plant in Transnistria, the largest plant in Moldova, owned by Russia's Inter RAO.
'For decades, Moscow used energy to blackmail us. No more: Moldova buys zero Russian gas,' Sandu wrote on social media. At the inauguration ceremony in Chisinau, she said the project strengthens electricity transmission capacity and diversifies supply. She added 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'.
Moldova's parliament last month approved a state of emergency until November 20 as the government tried to ease gas shortages amid soaring world energy prices. Some in Europe have blamed Moscow for gas price hikes, accusing it of withholding additional supplies to pressure the continent. Romania recently blamed Russia for a drone strike that sank a cargo ship in the Black Sea, killing one crew member. Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria have called on NATO to fast-track surveillance capabilities in the region. NATO said it would send more maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems and drones.
As part of peace efforts, Washington proposed resuming gas exports to Europe through a U.S. intermediary to potentially generate revenue for Ukraine and help secure a ceasefire. An EU official told the Kyiv Independent that Europe is unlikely to agree as the bloc remains committed to shutting off Russian imports.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Moldova's shift to zero Russian gas and connection to the European grid significantly reduces Moscow's ability to use energy as political leverage over the country.
- The new power line advances Moldova's integration into EU energy infrastructure, supporting its long-term goal of EU membership.
- Two additional planned connections could further insulate Moldova from energy coercion and deepen regional interconnectivity.
Background
Moldova was heavily dependent on Russian gas, supplied via the Moscow-controlled Cuciurgan plant in the breakaway Transnistria region. Russia has long used energy exports as a geopolitical tool, particularly after its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU has been working to reduce Russian gas imports and plans to ban them entirely next year. Moldova's move aligns with broader European efforts to diversify energy sources. Washington has suggested channelling Russian gas through a U.S. intermediary to fund Ukraine's war effort, but Brussels is reported to be skeptical.
Key Perspectives
Maia Sandu (President of Moldova): Described the line as ending Moscow's energy blackmail and confirmed that Moldova now buys no Russian gas. She said two more lines to Romania are being planned.
Marta Kos (European Commissioner for Energy): Said the connection allows Moldova to buy energy where it is cheapest, highlighting the benefits of market competition.
What to Watch
- Construction and timing of the two additional power lines Sandu said are 'on the way'.
- Whether Moldova's state of emergency expires on November 20 or is extended as gas shortages persist.
- NATO's deployment of additional surveillance assets in the Black Sea amid rising tensions with Russia.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedSandu said, “For decades, Moscow used energy to blackmail us. No more: Moldova buys zero Russian gas,” on social media.Kyiv Independent: “"For decades, Moscow used energy to blackmail us. No more: Moldova buys zero Russian gas," Sandu said on social media.”
- SupportedMoldova launched a new power line to Romania.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Moldova has officially launched a new power line connecting the country to neighbouring Romania and the European grid to reduce its reliance on Russian energy.”
- SupportedSandu said Moldova no longer buys Russian gas.Kyiv Independent: “Moldova no longer buys Russian gas, President Maia Sandu said on Nov. 8”
- SupportedSandu inaugurated the line on November 8.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Sandu said during the power line’s inauguration ceremony on Sunday in the capital, Chisinau.”
- Partly supportedSandu called the line an “energy independence line.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Dubbed the “energy independence line”, the power grid was launched two years after the date Moldovan authorities initially promised.”
- Partly supportedThe line ends decades of Moscow using energy to pressure Moldova.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““For decades, Moscow used energy to blackmail us,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on X on Sunday.”
- SupportedThe Vulcanesti-Chisinau line is 400 kilowatts and connects Moldova to Romania and the European grid.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The 400-kilowatt extra-high-voltage line, which runs from the city of Vulcanesti to Chisinau”
- SupportedSandu said two more power lines to Romania are on the way.Kyiv Independent: “Two more power lines to Romania are "on their way," according to Sandu.”
- SupportedMoldova previously received most of its gas from Russia via Transnistria and pipelines running through Ukraine.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Moldova, a country of 2.6 million people wedged between Romania and Ukraine, received most of its gas from Russia via its pro-Moscow separatist region of Transnistria and pipelines running through Ukraine.”
- SupportedThe new line allows Moldova to cut reliance on the Cuciurgan thermal power plant in Transnistria.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The 400-kilowatt extra-high-voltage line, which runs from the city of Vulcanesti to Chisinau, allows Moldova to cut reliance on the Cuciurgan thermal power plant in Transnistria.”
- SupportedCuciurgan is Moldova’s largest plant.Kyiv Independent: “The plant, the largest one in Moldova, is owned by one of Russia's biggest public energy companies, the Moscow-based Inter RAO.”
- SupportedCuciurgan is owned by Russia’s Inter RAO.Kyiv Independent: “The plant, the largest one in Moldova, is owned by one of Russia's biggest public energy companies, the Moscow-based Inter RAO.”