Landowners affected by the construction of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău Overhead Power Line (LEA) are receiving compensation. Of the approximately 500 individuals in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (UTA Găgăuzia), 76% have already submitted applications for compensation payments, and 62% of these have been processed and transferred for payment.
According to Ruslan Surugiu, director of the Consolidated Unit for Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE), expropriation activities are expanding to the following districts: Taraclia (7 localities), Cahul (3 localities), and Leova (1 locality). So far, 10% of permanently affected persons in Taraclia district and 11% in Cahul district have received compensation: “The progress achieved is mainly due to the active involvement and support provided to landowners, with whom work is carried out practically on an individual basis.”
It should be noted that for the construction of the Vulcănești–Chișinău LEA, land is expropriated both permanently and temporarily. Permanently expropriated land is intended for the construction of the towers and will be transferred to state ownership, while temporarily expropriated land will remain the property of the owners after construction works are completed.
According to the procedure, landowners or tenants first receive an expropriation proposal that includes the compensation amount. The compensation is calculated at market price but not less than the normative price. Therefore, the higher amount will be offered regardless of the case. Upon receiving the expropriation proposals, individuals must complete the attached application, attach documents proving ownership or usage rights, and send them to UCIPE at the address: Chisinau, Alecu Russo Street 1, Block A1, 16th floor. After processing the application, compensations can be received by companies through specified bank accounts and by individuals at post offices within a maximum of 60 days.
If an affected person disagrees with the proposed amount, they may file a complaint to the Claims Resolution Commission within 45 days of receiving the expropriation proposal.
According to national legislation, the construction works of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău overhead power line proceed simultaneously with the expropriation procedure.
The construction of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău overhead power line is part of the Power System Development Project in the Republic of Moldova, implemented by the Ministry of Energy through the Consolidated Unit for Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects. The project value is 61 million euros and is financed by the World Bank. The project beneficiary is the state enterprise Moldelectrica.