Transelectrica is accelerating efforts to develop Romania’s electricity transmission infrastructure in the north of Moldova through two major investments: the 400 kV Suceava–Bălți overhead transmission line, which will establish a new interconnection between the power systems of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, and the 400 kV Gădălin–Suceava overhead transmission line, set to become the longest overhead power line in Romania.
Designed to cross the Eastern Carpathians, the latter project will connect the historic regions of Transylvania and Moldova. The Gădălin–Suceava line has also secured more than RON 492 million in funding from the Modernisation Fund. By expanding the electricity transmission network in the region, both projects will help create favourable conditions for attracting new investment and supporting regional development.
In this context, on 21 October, a Transelectrica delegation led by Ștefăniță Munteanu, Chairman of the Executive Board, met with Stelian Simerea, Vice-President of the Suceava County Council, and the council’s chief architect. Transelectrica representatives attending the meeting included Dorinel Vladu, Director of the Investments Directorate; Dragoș Muntenașu, Project Manager; Virgiliu Ivan, Director of the National Energy Dispatch Centre; and representatives of the Bacău Territorial Transmission Branch: George Ababei, Director; Marius Danciu, Deputy Director; and Cristian Chiriac, Technical Director.
Discussions focused on the progress of the two projects and the steps required for their implementation. For the Romanian section of the 400 kV Suceava–Bălți line, the preliminary stages have been completed, while procedures to obtain the building permit are underway. Under these circumstances, construction could begin by early 2027 at the latest. For the 400 kV Gădălin–Suceava line, landowners whose properties lie within the expropriation corridor have begun receiving notifications, a necessary step in advancing the procedures required to deliver the investment.
400 kV Suceava–Bălți: A New Energy Interconnection Between Romania and the Republic of Moldova
The 400 kV Suceava–Bălți overhead transmission line is a strategic project aimed at strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure and developing regional interconnections. The new line will connect the power systems of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, support the further integration of Moldova into the ENTSO-E Continental European Synchronous Area, and contribute to completing Romania’s 400 kV national transmission grid loop.
On Romanian territory, the line will extend for 93.3 kilometres and cross 17 administrative-territorial units, including six in Suceava County and 11 in Botoșani County.
The contract for the design and construction works was signed on 11 March 2025 with the consortium comprising Electromontaj SA and ELM Electromontaj Cluj SA, led by Electromontaj SA. The contract is worth RON 133.4 million, excluding VAT, and provides for a construction period of 36 months from the issuance of the notice to proceed.
Under Government Decision No. 271 of 23 April 2026, the project was declared to be of national importance, its route was approved, and the expropriation procedure was initiated. Completion of the expropriation process and acquisition of the required permits will enable preparations for construction to proceed, with work expected to begin by early 2027 at the latest.
400 kV Gădălin–Suceava: A Major Energy Corridor Across the Eastern Carpathians
With a planned length of approximately 260 kilometres, the 400 kV Gădălin–Suceava overhead transmission line will be the longest of its kind in Romania. Its route will cross challenging mountainous terrain and connect two major historical regions of the country, Transylvania and Moldova, helping complete the 400 kV transmission grid loop in northern Romania.
The project предусматривает the installation of 988 high-voltage transmission towers, 967 of which will be newly built. The line will cross three counties—Cluj, Bistrița-Năsăud and Suceava—and 40 localities.
The contract for the design and construction of the 400 kV single-circuit overhead transmission line, including its connection to the National Power System, was signed in August 2025 with a consortium led by Electromontaj SA, together with ELM Electromontaj Cluj SA. The contract is worth RON 688.3 million, excluding VAT, and has a scheduled implementation period of 69 months, divided into four main stages: design; preparation and updating of documentation required for approvals and endorsements; obtaining building permits; and construction works.
Under Government Decision No. 270 of 23 April 2026, the investment was declared to be of national importance, its route was approved, and the expropriation procedure was initiated. Current activities include notifying landowners whose properties are located within the expropriation corridor, a necessary step in moving the project forward.
The project has secured non-reimbursable funding of RON 492,452,329.63 through the Modernisation Fund and is one of 13 Transelectrica investment projects supported by this funding mechanism.
Through the new transmission line, Transelectrica aims to increase electricity transmission capacity between Romania’s regions and facilitate the integration of power generated by wind farms planned for development in Moldova and Dobrogea. The new corridor will create additional capacity to transmit electricity towards north-western Romania and support interconnections with neighbouring countries to the west.
The investment will also enhance security of electricity supply in areas facing supply constraints in northern Transylvania and Moldova by providing additional transmission routes. Strengthening the transmission infrastructure will therefore support the secure operation of Romania’s National Power System and the integration of renewable energy generation capacity.