Electricity sector in Bulgaria

The electricity sector in Bulgaria is an important part of energy in Bulgaria and is highly diversified. Nuclear power accounts for 47% of Bulgaria's power, while renewable energy provides more than 30% of the country's electricity needs. The remainder is generated by fossil fuels.[1]

Electricity sector of Bulgaria
Bulgaria electricity mix 2023

Power production
See also: List of power stations in Bulgaria
Republika TPP near Pernik

Bulgaria consumes about 35 TWh of electricity per year,[2] and some is exported.[3] The residential sector is the largest consumer, followed by industry then services.[4]

Nuclear power
Main article: Nuclear power in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant with two pressurized water reactors (together 2000 MW net). Four old and unsafe VVER-440/230 reactors (4 x 408 MW net) were taken off-line in 2004 and 2007). The two active reactors cover almost half of Bulgaria's electricity demand.[5]

Coal power

Some power stations are very dirty,[6][7] and in 2023 one was found guilty of excess sulphur dioxide air pollution, which might lead to court cases against others.[8]

In early 2023 the government attempted to postpone Bulgaria's EU commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% that year, because it did not want to close any coal-fired power stations.[9][10]

Fossil fuel subsidy of coal power is expected to end by 2025.[11] Bulgaria aims to phase out coal power (which is low quality lignite[12]) by 2038 or earlier.[13]

Hydropower
This section is an excerpt from Hydroelectricity in Bulgaria.[edit]
Hydroelectricity generated 11% of Bulgaria’s electricity in 2021.[14]

Wind power
This section is an excerpt from Wind power in Bulgaria.[edit]

Wind power generated 2% of electricity in 2023.[15] By the end of 2020 almost 1 GW of onshore wind power had been installed.[16] It has been estimated that there is potential for at least another 2 GW by 2030.[17]

An energy island in the Black Sea has been suggested for joint development with wind power in Romania.[18]

Solar power
This section is an excerpt from Solar power in Bulgaria.[edit]
Solar potential in Bulgaria

Solar power generated 12% of Bulgaria’s electricity in 2023.[19]

By the end of 2020 about 1 GW of solar PV had been installed.[20] It has been estimated that there is potential for at least another 4 GW by 2030.[21]

On March 13th 2023 peak photovoltaics power was 30% of Bulgaria electricity generation. However, long-term share of solar power is much lower. Director of Bulgarian transmission network estimated photovoltaics growth as 30% in 2022, also he expects 700 MW new solar capacity in 2023, which could represent 30-40% YoY growth.

In April 2023 Bulgaria's Inercom signed contract with Huasun for supply of 1.5GW solar modules.

References
  1. Capital.bg (2023-07-04). "Срив при тока от въглища и рекорд за ВЕИ през юни в България". www.capital.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  2. "Bulgaria - Countries & Regions". IEA. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  3. "Bulgaria - Energy". www.trade.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  4. "Bulgaria Energy Information | Enerdata". www.enerdata.net. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  5. https://www.capital.bg/biznes/energetika/2023/07/04/4503320_sriv_pri_toka_ot_vuglishta_i_rekord_za_vei_prez_juni_v/
  6. "Coal power plant in Bulgaria is polluting rivers". Water News Europe. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  7. "Bulgaria – Selected Issues".
  8. "EU court rules Bulgaria unlawfully allowed coal-fired Maritsa East 2 plant to pollute the air". intellinews.com. 2023-03-09. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  9. "Commitment about Coal-Fired Power Plants Should Be Put Off and Revised - PM Donev". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  10. "Bulgarian lawmakers back coal plants with vote to roll back green targets". Reuters. Reuters. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  11. "Experts: The Faster Bulgaria Closes Its Coal-fired Plants, the Cheaper Electricity Will Be". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  12. "Bulgaria could add 7 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 - industry". Renewablesnow.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  13. "Remaining EU Coal Power Polluters". Ember. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  14. "Bulgaria - Energy". www.trade.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  15. "Срив при тока от въглища и рекорд за ВЕИ през юни в България". 4 July 2023.
  16. "Bulgaria to install 2.5 GW of solar, wind by 2024". Balkan Green Energy News. 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  17. "Bulgaria May Add 4.9 GW of Renewable Energy by 2031". www.saurenergy.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  18. Spasić, Vladimir (2023-01-20). "Artificial energy island would help Romania, Bulgaria tap offshore wind in Black Sea". Balkan Green Energy News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  19. https://www.capital.bg/biznes/energetika/2023/07/04/4503320_sriv_pri_toka_ot_vuglishta_i_rekord_za_vei_prez_juni_v/
  20. "Bulgaria to install 2.5 GW of solar, wind by 2024". Balkan Green Energy News. 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  21. "Bulgaria May Add 4.9 GW of Renewable Energy by 2031". www.saurenergy.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
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