According to data published by Bulgarian electricity transmission system operator ESO, Bulgaria’s electricity production increased by 3.96% between 1 January and 5 July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, reaching 22.27 TWh.
Electricity consumption also recorded growth during the period, rising by 6.82% year on year to 21.4 TWh. Despite stronger domestic demand, Bulgaria maintained its position as a net electricity exporter, with net exports reaching 866.6 GWh in the first half of 2026.
The structure of electricity generation continued to shift, with baseload power plants, including coal-fired and nuclear facilities, producing a combined 14.14 TWh of electricity. This represented a 10.6% decline compared with the same period in 2025, reflecting lower output from traditional generation sources.
At the same time, renewable energy sources (RES) continued to gain importance in Bulgaria’s electricity system. RES generation connected to the transmission network increased by 12.89% to 2,216.9 GWh, while renewable production within the distribution network rose by 3.9% to 2,127.3 GWh.
The latest figures highlight the ongoing transformation of Bulgaria’s power sector, with renewable energy playing a larger role in the national generation mix while conventional baseload production gradually declines. Despite higher electricity consumption, the country’s increased generation capacity and growing renewable contribution allowed Bulgaria to preserve a positive export balance and strengthen its role as a regional electricity supplier.
Bulgaria’s 2026 performance reflects the impact of expanding renewable capacity, continued importance of nuclear generation and changing market dynamics across Southeast Europe, where flexible and low-carbon electricity sources are becoming increasingly important for both domestic supply security and cross-border trade.
