What is the main source of electricity in Bulgaria in 2022?

Coal energy was the main source of electricity production in Bulgaria in 2022. It accounted for over 45 percent of total electricity generation. Nuclear energy ranked second, making up 35 percent of total production.

Why are electricity prices so high in Bulgaria?

Rising costs for fossil fuels and CO 2 emissions are already pushing electricity prices in Bulgaria to record high levels. In response, businesses are turning to renewable energy to lower their electricity bills.

Why is the energy sector important in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria’s power sector is diverse and well developed, with universal access to the grid and numerous cross-border connections in neighboring countries. A key driver of the Bulgarian economy, the energy sector is strongly affected by geopolitical, economic, and regulatory pressures.

Is Bulgaria a energy-intensive country?

Bulgaria remains the most energy-intensive economy in the EU by a wide margin. The structure of Bulgaria’s final energy consumption is like that of the EU. Bulgaria’s economy consumes 3.5 times more energy resources per unit of its GDP than the EU average. That may not sound alarming, but Bulgaria is highly dependent on coal and nuclear power.

What will Bulgaria's energy system operator do in 2024?

By the end of 2024, Bulgaria’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) will finalize its investment program aiming to ensure the grid connection of new power plants with a total installed capacity of 4,500 MW, primarily renewables. ESO, the country’s transmission system operator, has invested more than EUR 25 million in digitalization of the grid.

What is the main energy source in Bulgaria?

The main local energy source in Bulgaria is lignite coal. Another local energy source is nuclear energy, which significantly contributes to energy independence. In 2022, the share of nuclear energy production is 32.6% of total electricity production in Bulgaria. The share is expected to remain above 40% until 2030.