Bulgarian’s electricity transmission system operator (ESO EAD) has published a ten-year network development plan (TYNDP), subject to final approval by the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC).
A summary of Bulgaria’s renewable energy installed capacity (2025) is given in the table below:
| Hydro (excluding pumps) | 2350 MW |
| Wind | 705 MW |
| Solar | 4388 MW |
| Biomass and biogas | 79 MW |
For the period 2025 to 2034, according to investment intentions and concluded contracts, a total of 23 GW of new capacities have been planned for construction, 21.5 GW of which will be renewables, as indicated below:
Gas fired 1.5 GW
Hydro 1.5 GW
Wind 1 GW
Solar 13.5 GW
BESS 5.3 GW
The TYNDP expects that electricity consumption will increase at a moderate pace. Market modeling shows that Bulgaria, a major exporter over the last two decades, will cover its consumption through imports at a more competitive price.
Without a financial support mechanism, coal-fired power plants will not produce electricity for economic reasons. This effect has been noticeable since mid-2019 and has since raised the issue of diversifying and ensuring the security of the electricity system through its own energy resources.
The TYNDP points out that electrical power balances show a drastic disproportion in the possibilities for covering domestic consumption and possible export of electricity. During the winter months, imports will be obtained at a more competitive price, and during the summer season there is significant residual availability for production. The realization of exports, however, is directly dependent on the production of renewables, especially photovoltaics. With the accepted development of the renewable energy production, it is expected that by 2034 renewables will exceed 50% of Bulgaria’s projected gross electricity consumption. With the accelerated penetration of renewables and the lack of industrial load in the country, the danger of forced market curtailment on the operating capacity of nuclear power units during certain periods of the year will only increase if long-term PPAs are not implemented.
To guarantee sufficient and flexible development of production capacities, additional measures need to be taken. Some of these measures, which are a priority for ESO EAD and the Independent Bulgarian Electricity Exchange (IBEX), are market-based to be implemented in the coming years to do the following:
- ensure a mechanism for continuous operation of a minimum set of synchronous units;
- construct gas-steam capacities after an economic assessment, taking into account the cost of gas;
- restore hydropower units of the Chaira Pumping Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant and construct the Yadenitsa Dam;
- construct new Pumping Storage Hydroelectric Power Plants;
- construct new nuclear power plants with the ability of the units to change the load on a 24-hour basis;
- construct innovative and fire-safe energy storage systems;
- construct hydrogen production installations;
- have the participation of active consumers.
For more information on Bulgaria’s energy sector, contact your CMS client partner or these CMS experts: Kostadin Sirleshtov and Borislava Piperkova.
