Bulgaria’s new Energy Development Strategy until 2053 foresees coal-fired power plants operating until 2030, alongside nuclear, solar, wind, hydro and geothermal plants, along with storage projects.
The strategy was released for public discussion at a round table held in Sofia with the participation of the highest Bulgarian officials.
Among the strategic goals of the development of the energy sector stated in the document are energy security in the country and the region, preservation of Bulgaria’s role as a regional leader in the energy sector, protection of national security and economic interests of the country, achievement of decarbonization goals, increase in energy efficiency, implementation of a just transition in affected regions and prevention of energy poverty.
In the coal sector, it is planned to use existing capacities until 2030 in order to ensure energy security and introduce technical solutions to reduce emissions.
In the nuclear energy sector, the strategy envisages the construction of a new 2,000 MW at the Belene site, in the period 2035-2040, as well as the construction of 2,000 MW of replacement capacity at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant site by 2045.
Also, Bulgaria plans to build 7 GW of solar and 2 GW of wind projects by 2030, i.e. 12 GW of solar and 4 GW of wind power plants by 2050.
It is planned to build hydropower plants with a total capacity of 870 MW by 2030, or 1,270 MW by 2050.
When it comes to geothermal energy, the focus is on building local heating systems. Also, the construction of 1 GW electrolysis plant by 2030, i.e. 5 GW of capacity by 2050, for domestic consumption and export is planned.
In the area of energy storage, the strategy envisages the expansion of the Chaira pumped power station by 2030 and the construction of new pumped hydroelectric power plants of 1 GW by 2035, as well as the introduction of battery storage of 600 MW by 2030 and 1.5 GW of seasonal storage systems by in 2050.
The plan is to upgrade transmission lines and build new transmission lines with a total length of 1,900 kilometers, digitize and develop the distribution network, and build 1,000 charging stations for electric vehicles by 2030.
The document also offers measures to solve the problem of energy poverty and improve energy efficiency in households.
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