United States funds $130 million Moldova-Romania power line named Trump Liberty Line

Project specifications and American funding

The planned high-voltage power transmission line connecting Moldova and Romania will bear the name Trump Liberty Line, as announced by the United States embassy in Chisinau on 6 October 2026. The 400 kV overhead line will span approximately 190 kilometres between Straseni in central Moldova and Gutinas in eastern Romania. The route includes 70 kilometres of transmission lines in Moldova and 120 kilometres across Romanian territory. The United States government is financing the infrastructure build through a $130 million non-reimbursable grant. American engineering firm Black & Veatch and Moldovan state grid operator Moldelectrica established a project working group alongside the Moldovan Ministry of Energy and the US embassy to coordinate execution by American contractors.

This project, supported by a $130 million US government investment, will strengthen Moldova's energy security and independence, increase opportunities for US companies and technologies across sectors, and deepen the economic partnership between the US and the Republic of Moldova.

Grid integration and supply diversification

The Straseni-Gutinas connection represents the third 400 kV cross-border power line planned between Romania and Moldova, joining the Vulcanesti-Chisinau and Balti-Suceava interconnections. Moldova and neighbouring Ukraine synchronized their electrical systems with the continental European ENTSO-E grid in March 2022 to expand physical transmission capacity. Moldova currently experiences domestic electricity deficits and has ceased imports of Russian natural gas. Romania currently supplies over 50% of Moldova's electricity demand, and the new interconnection is designed to broaden access to European power markets while reducing reliance on a limited number of legacy supply corridors.

Emergency measures and domestic route

Moldova's parliament introduced a 60-day state of energy emergency on 26 September 2026 to manage domestic supply constraints. Within Moldova, the 70-kilometre section of the new transmission line will cross 25 localities across four administrative districts: Straseni, Calarasi, Nisporeni, and Hincesti. In addition to stringing new high-voltage lines, the project encompasses technical upgrades to existing domestic electrical substations and network infrastructure. Moldovan authorities confirmed their backing for the bilateral project following the formal launch of the joint working group.

Government spokesperson Dumitru Ciorici confirmed the administration's support for the infrastructure project:

The government of the Republic of Moldova supports initiatives that bring benefits to citizens, especially those that ensure the country's security and energy infrastructure.

Geopolitical context and regional ties

The project had previously been known as the Liberty Line before US diplomats confirmed the addition of US President Donald Trump's name. The designation follows a similar naming for a transport corridor connecting mainland Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan exclave through southern Armenia after a White House peace framework. Moldova continues to face pressure from Moscow, which supports the breakaway region of Transnistria and attempted to influence the September 2025 parliamentary elections won by President Maia Sandu's Action and Solidarity Party (PAS). Moldova was part of Romania during the interwar period before its annexation by the Soviet Union in World War II, and extensive cultural, linguistic, and citizenship ties continue to connect both nations.