A major transmission line linking Romania and Moldova has been taken out of service following strikes on energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine, prompting authorities in Chisinau to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector. The 400 kV Isaccea–Vulcănești interconnection, a critical route for electricity imports, was disconnected on the evening of 23 March after damage was reported along its path through Ukrainian territory.
The line, which terminates at the MoldGRES power plant in the Transnistrian region, typically covers a substantial share of Moldova’s electricity needs, supplying up to 60–70% of total consumption. Its sudden outage has created a shortfall that can reach 350–400 MW during peak demand hours, significantly increasing pressure on the national energy system.
Initial assessments suggest that the disruption was caused by severe damage to support structures, likely linked to the attacks. The situation has been further complicated by debris from downed drones near the affected area, making repair efforts more difficult and requiring demining operations before technical crews can safely begin work. Despite the scale of the disruption, no widespread blackouts have been reported so far. Lower seasonal consumption has helped mitigate the immediate impact, while authorities have relied on alternative sources to maintain supply.
Around the time of the incident, Moldova’s electricity demand stood at approximately 620 MW, with domestic production accounting for about 320 MW, an additional 120 MW coming from MoldGRES, and roughly 300 MW being imported from Ukraine.
The system has continued to function by switching to emergency configurations, including the use of 110 kV lines operating in isolated mode and the reactivation of the 330 kV Bălți–Dnestrovsk connection. However, officials warn that these measures provide only limited coverage and cannot fully compensate for the loss of the main interconnection.
Transmission operators from Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine are working together to evaluate the damage and coordinate next steps. At the same time, the Moldovan Government has activated emergency powers, enabling faster decision-making, access to financial resources, and the possibility of introducing consumption restrictions or special operating rules for businesses if the situation deteriorates. The declaration of a 60-day emergency period reflects concerns over prolonged instability in supply, as authorities race to secure alternative energy sources and restore the damaged infrastructure under challenging conditions.
