Bulgaria’s Net Electricity Exports Rise 62% Since Start of Year, Electricity Trading Association Says

Bulgaria’s net electricity exports increased by 62% from the beginning of the year to early October, reaching 3.5 terawatt-hours, up from 2.16 terawatt-hours a year earlier. Renewable energy sources, supported by energy storage systems, were the main contributors to the increase in electricity generation, the Association for Production, Storage and Trading of Electricity (APSTE) said here on October 9.

Citing data from the Electricity System Operator (ESO), the Association said that Bulgaria’s electricity generation had increased by 12.24%, while consumption had risen by 8.45%. Renewable energy generation reached 11.5 terawatt-hours, nearly 34% more than a year earlier. Renewable sources thus accounted for nearly 80% of the increase in the country’s electricity generation.

From the beginning of the year to October 4, batteries supplied 1,720 gigawatt-hours of electricity to the power system, compared with just 190 gigawatt-hours a year earlier, an increase of more than ninefold. This allows low-cost electricity generated during the day to be stored and used during periods of higher demand and prices, APSTE said.

The benefits of the new energy mix were particularly evident over the summer. Despite prolonged heatwaves and low water levels in the Danube, which constrained nuclear and hydropower generation in the region, Bulgaria remained a net electricity exporter and maintained lower prices than neighbouring markets during key periods. The combination of solar power plants, batteries and the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant contributed to this performance.

“While neighbouring markets are suffering from high prices and electricity shortages due to restrictions on their nuclear power plants and high natural gas prices, Bulgaria is producing and storing increasing amounts of its own electricity. This means more competitive prices for households and businesses, greater energy security and a stronger position in the regional energy market,” APSTE Chair Nikola Gazdov said, as quoted in the statement.

However, the successful development of solar power and battery storage is not enough, the Association noted. Solar generation declines in winter, while consumption increases. To ensure a greater supply of affordable domestic electricity during the colder months, Bulgaria needs to accelerate the development of wind power, APSTE said.