Electricity sector in Bulgaria
- 2 min read
- 1 chapter
Related on Lably
Through Hydroelectricity and Wind power
Power production
Bulgaria consumes about 35 TWh of electricity per year, and some is exported. The residential sector is the largest consumer, followed by industry then services.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power generates about a third of electricity in Bulgaria. Bulgaria's first commercial nuclear reactor began operation in 1974. The Kozloduy NPP operates two pressurized water reactors with a total output of 1906 MW. This makes Bulgaria the 21st-largest user of nuclear power in the world. Construction of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant was officially terminated in March 2012, and a thermal powerplant was supposed to be built on the site. Efforts in May 2018 to restart the Belene project were unsuccessful. As of 2022, Bulgaria plans to construct new reactors at the existing Kozloduy site, and at Belene.
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.
Coal power
Some power stations are very dirty, and in 2023 one was found guilty of excess sulphur dioxide air pollution, which might lead to court cases against others.
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.
Fossil fuel subsidy of coal power is expected to end by 2025. Bulgaria aims to phase out coal power (which is low quality lignite) by 2038 or earlier. The Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air says that an earlier phase out would save many lives and much money.
Hydropower
In 2021, hydroelectricity generated 11% of Bulgaria’s electricity. As of 2020, the country's total installed electricity capacity was approximately 12,839 MW, with hydropower contributing 25%, or 3,213 MW.
Wind power
Wind power generated 2% of electricity in 2023. By the end of 2020 almost 1 GW of onshore wind power had been installed. It has been estimated that there is potential for at least another 2 GW by 2030. The total wind power grid-connected capacity in Bulgaria was 702 MW as of 2023.
An energy island in the Black Sea has been suggested for joint development with wind power in Romania.
Solar power
Solar power generated 12% of Bulgaria’s electricity in 2023.
By the end of 2020 about 1 GW of solar PV had been installed. It has been estimated that there is potential for at least another 4 GW by 2030.
On March 13, 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.