Moldova fast-tracks US-funded 400kV power line to Romania, names it Trump Liberty Line

On Wednesday, Moldova’s cabinet passed a draft law designating the planned 400-kilovolt transmission corridor to Romania as a national public utility, which will simplify land acquisition and other preparatory steps. The line, roughly 190 kilometres long with about 70 km on Moldovan soil and 120 km in Romania, is backed by a $130 million investment from the United States and is expected to be finished by 2032. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said the project is crucial for the country’s energy security and thanked the American side for its support.

The US embassy in Chisinau revealed the line will be named the “Trump Liberty Line,” joining other Eastern-European projects that carry the president’s name. While the naming has not sparked significant debate, the focus remains on the line’s potential to lessen Moldova’s reliance on electricity imports from Russia-linked sources and to deepen its integration with the EU grid. Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure have highlighted the need for more reliable cross-border connections. The initiative reflects Moldova’s broader strategy to align with Western partners amid its EU candidacy.