MOldavia has inaugurated a new high-tensive line linking the town of Vulcanesti with the capital Chisinev, strengthening the energy link with Romania and the European electricity network.

Moldovan President Maya Sandu said the project increases the country’s energy security and reduces dependence on Russian supplies. It also announced that two other energy lines are planned towards Romania.

The new line with 400 kilovolt capacity is expected to reduce dependence on the Cuciurgan power plant in the separatist region of Transnistria, reports AljazeeraKlankosova broadcast.tv.

European Energy Commissioner Marta Kos attended the inauguration ceremony, which stressed that the new link allows Moldova to buy energy from markets where prices are more favourable.

The project comes under Chisineva’s efforts to diversify energy resources and draw closer to the European Union, at a time when the country faces gas shortages and uncertainty in supply.