Energy in Bulgaria

About 200 TWh of energy in Bulgaria is consumed each year which is about 28 MWh per person, somewhat over the world average of 20 MWh.[1] The largest sources are coal and oil, followed by nuclear.[2]

Studen Kladenets Dam and HPP.

Bulgaria does not produce much coal, oil and gas. Nuclear power produces 36% of Bulgaria's power, with the remaining 64% produced from fossil fuels, and without a domestic supply, the country is heavily dependent on imports for crude oil.[3]

Economics

Bulgarian Energy Holding owns subsidiaries operating in different energy sectors: electricity: Kozloduy nuclear power plant, Maritsa East 2 thermal power plant, NEK EAD and Elektroenergien sistemen operator (ESO); natural gas: Bulgargaz and Bulgartransgaz; coal mining: Mini Maritsa Iztok (Maritsa East mines). The state holds a 100% stake in the holding company.[4][5]

Energy prices are state controlled.[6] Electricity is traded on the European market,[7] and analysts suggest that more interconnectors should be built.[8]

Over a billion euros that the EU Just Transition Fund might have given has not been, because the government has not submitted plans for coal phase out in Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik.[9]

Coal
Mining transport in Devnya, Bulgaria.

The government has committed to phase out coal by 2038 but some miners say that a just transition has not been planned.[10] The country's nationally determined contribution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by 40% from 1990 to 2025[11] means low utilization of coal plants, and their need to buy EU Allowances and competition from renewables is expected to make them unprofitable.[12] Burning coal for heating pollutes the air in cities.[13]

Gas
See also: 2022 Russia–European Union gas dispute

Bulgaria is believed to have extensive natural gas resources[14] but, due to a successful campaign against hydraulic fracturing on land, only Black Sea exploration is permitted, such as at the Galata gas field.[15][16][17]

Bulgaria consumes about 3 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas.[18] The Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria natural gas pipeline became operational in 2022, and will allow Bulgaria to receive about 1 bcm from Azerbaijan.[18] The country imports over 90% of its natural gas from Russia via the Turk Stream pipeline under a 10-year contract,[19] which is set to expire at the end of 2022.[18] Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bulgaria's deputy prime minister Asen Vasilev on 19 March said that the country would not hold talks to renew the contract.[18] In April 2022, it was announced that Russia will suspend sending gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, in exchange for their refusal to pay in roubles. In response to this, Bulgaria, is currently discussing importing liquefied natural gas through Turkey and Greece.[20]

Oil

Most oil products are consumed by transport.[21] Neftochim Burgas refinery is owned by LUKoil.[22]

Power production
See also: List of power stations in Bulgaria
Republika TPP near Pernik

Bulgaria consumes about 35 TWh of electricity per year,[23] and some is exported.[24] The residential sector is the largest consumer, followed by industry then services.[21]

Nuclear power
Main article: Nuclear power in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant with two pressurized water reactors (together 2000 MW net). Four old and unsafe VVER-440/230 reactors (4 x 408 MW net) were taken off-line in 2004 and 2007). The two active reactors cover about a third of Bulgaria's electricity demand.[13]

Coal power

Some power stations are very dirty,[25][26] and in 2023 one was found guilty of excess sulphur dioxide air pollution, which might lead to court cases against others.[27]

In early 2023 the government attempted to postpone Bulgaria’s EU commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% that year, because it did not want to close any coal-fired power stations.[28][29]

Fossil fuel subsidy of coal power is expected to end by 2025.[30] Bulgaria aims to phase out coal power (which is low quality lignite[31]) by 2038 or earlier.[32]

Gas power

In 2021 gas generated 6% of electricity.[24]

Hydropower
This section is an excerpt from Hydroelectricity in Bulgaria.[edit]

Hydroelectricity generated 11% of Bulgaria’s electricity in 2021.[33]

The 15 largest HEP stations, all owned by the state-run National Electricity Company, account for most of the country's HEP installed capacity and HEP power.[34](p. 12,p. 32) They are arranged in four series, or "cascades", of between 3 and 5 reservoirs, and all are located in the Rhodope mountains in Southwestern Bulgaria. Three of the stations are pumped-storage stations ("PS-HPP").[34](p. 14) Some analysts say that further modernization, such as of its pumped storage hydro, could be profitable.[35]

Wind power
This section is an excerpt from Wind power in Bulgaria.[edit]

Wind power generated 3% of Bulgaria’s electricity in 2021.[36] By the end of 2020 almost 1 GW of onshore wind power had been installed.[37] It has been estimated that there is potential for at least another 2 GW by 2030.[38]

An energy island in the Black Sea has been suggested for joint development with wind power in Romania.[39]

Solar power
This section is an excerpt from Solar power in Bulgaria.[edit]
Solar potential in Bulgaria

Solar power generated 3% of Bulgaria’s electricity in 2021.[40]

By the end of 2020 about 1 GW of solar PV had been installed.[41] It has been estimated that there is potential for at least another 4 GW by 2030.[42]

On March 13th 2023 peak photovoltaics power was 30% of Bulgaria electricity generation. However, long-term share of solar power is much lower. Director of Bulgarian transmission network estimated photovoltaics growth as 30% in 2022, also he expects 700 MW new solar capacity in 2023, which could represent 30-40% YoY growth.

In April 2023 Bulgaria's Inercom signed contract with Huasun for supply of 1.5GW solar modules.

Heating

More than a quarter of the population are estimated to be in energy poverty, as some buildings are not well insulated.[43][44] Geothermal heating of some schools is being trialled.[45] Burning wood and coal for home heating causes illness and death.[46][47][48]

Energy transit
Bulgarian gas infrastructure map.

Russian gas from Turkstream transits to Serbia and Hungary.[49]

Energy Transition

In 2023 the Center for the Study of Democracy made a plan for climate neutrality. [50]

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Energy in Bulgaria.

References
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  2. "Bulgaria - Countries & Regions". IEA. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  3. "Energy consumption in Bulgaria". Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  4. "Bulgaria Consolidates Five Energy Companies into Holding". Sofia News Agency. 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  5. "Bulgaria announces birth of energy giant with new holding company". Power Engineering. 2008-02-14. Archived from the original on 2008-10-18. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  6. "Bulgaria - Country Commercial Guide".
  7. "Bulgaria-Romania day-ahead market coupling completed". Balkan Green Energy News. 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
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  16. Yardley, Jim; Becker, Jo (December 30, 2014). "How Putin Forged a Pipeline Deal That Derailed". The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2014. Almost immediately, a well-organized campaign emerged to kill shale exploration before it began, fueled in part by loyalists for Ataka, one of the several far-right parties that Putin has cultivated in Europe.
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