According to data released by Bulgaria’s electricity transmission system operator ESO, the country’s electricity production has decreased by 5.5% in the period from January 1 to November 3, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Total electricity generation in Bulgaria reached 32.69 TWh in 2024, down from the previous year.
At the same time, electricity consumption in Bulgaria has seen a slight increase of 0.2%, reaching 31.41 TWh. This has resulted in a sharp decline in net electricity exports, which fell by 60.5%, from 3.24 TWh in 2023 to just 1.28 TWh in 2024.
The decline in electricity production is mainly attributed to a 12.5% drop in output from baseload power plants, including coal and nuclear facilities. These plants produced a total of 23.89 TWh of electricity in 2024, compared to 27.27 TWh in the same period of 2023.
However, there has been a notable increase in the share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources (RES). The contribution of RES to the transmission network grew by 34.5%, reaching 3,052.3 GWh. Similarly, the share of RES in the distribution network increased by 34.03%, amounting to 3,007.4 GWh.
The shift towards renewable energy reflects Bulgaria’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy mix, despite the overall decline in total electricity production. While coal and nuclear remain dominant in the country’s energy landscape, the rise in renewable generation offers a glimpse into the future of Bulgaria’s electricity sector.
The reduced electricity exports and decline in production could pose challenges for Bulgaria’s energy balance in the coming months, particularly with the winter season approaching and potential pressures on the domestic electricity supply.
