The Isaccea-Vulcănești cross-border power transmission line connecting the energy systems of Moldova and Romania was cut off on the evening of 23 March during Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Details: Moldelectrica, a Moldovan electricity transmission system operator, reported that the outage occurred at approximately 19:00.
The National Emergency Management Centre reported later that evening that "as a result of strikes on critical infrastructure in Ukraine, there is a risk of damage to the Isaccea-Vulcănești line, which is an important element of the regional and national energy system."
"The authorities are monitoring the situation in real time. Moldova's Ministry of Energy will provide updates and additional information," the Centre stated.
On the night of 23-24 March, Russian drones attacked Odesa, causing power outages in some districts of the city.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu confirmed that Russian strikes on Ukraine had also affected Moldova.
"Russia's strikes on civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine are a war crime – and an attack on all of us. Overnight strikes disconnected Moldova's key power link with Europe. Alternative routes are in place, but the situation remains fragile. Russia alone bears responsibility," she wrote on her X (Twitter).
Background:
In early February, Moldova experienced a partial blackout due to problems in Ukraine's energy networks. A voltage drop was recorded on the 400 kV Isaccea-Vulcănești-MGRES line, triggering an emergency failure in the national energy system.
Ukraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal reported that on 31 January a technical breakdown occurred which simultaneously cut off the 400 kV line between the energy systems of Romania and Moldova and the 750 kV line between the western and central parts of Ukraine.
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