According to the draft 10-year development plan of Bulgarian electricity transmission network, the country‟s gross electricity consumption will not exceed 40.6 TWh in 2028. The expected maximum hourly load will amount to 8,100 MW, while the average daily load will amount to 7,600 MW.
10-year development plan was developed by Bulgarian electricity transmission operator ESO and it presents transmission infrastructure that will be built, expanded, reconstructed and modernized in the next ten years. It also includes the implementation of measures aimed at increasing energy efficiency.
According to the maximal scenario, gross electricity consumption in Bulgaria in 2028 will amount to 40.6 TW. The minimal scenario includes the implementation of energy efficiency measures and gross consumption in 2028 will reach 37.7 TWh.
The plan does not include the construction od hydropower system on the Danube nor the construction of new units at nuclear power plant Kozloduy. The plan states that there is a potential for the construction of additional 2,000 MW in nuclear capacity, but does not deliver any details regarding the nuclear power plant Belene project. The plan also envisages that units 1 and 2 of thermal power plant Varna will be in operation after 2025.
ESO expects that the share of renewable energy in gross consumption will exceed 17 % in maximal or 18 % in minimal scenario. The plan envisages the increase in output of pump storage hydropower plant Chaira, as well as commissioning of new unit at HPP Vacha.
Estimated annual investments in the construction, expansion, reconstruction and modernization of electricity transmission infrastructure in the period between 2019 and 2028 are estimated to 688 million euros, of which 14 % will be covered by EU funds.
