Bulgaria May Add 4.9 GW of Renewable Energy by 2031

According to a draft plan created by the Electricity System Operator (ESO), the transmission authority of Bulgaria, the country is expected to see an increase of 5.9 GW in the overall national power capacity by 2031. Out of this, 4.9 GW is expected to come from renewable sources.

The ESO document says that the total electricity consumption in Bulgaria will remain under 43.3 GWh by 2031. It also informs that the maximum electricity load will be about 7.7 GW in 2031 and the highest load per average workday will be 7.1 GW.

ESO says that in 2031, the share of hydroelectric plants in consumption will be at a maximum of 30% in Bulgaria. It said that new nuclear power plants will also be connected with the transmission grid between 2032 and 2040 but none before 2032.

The document also reveals that there will be no export of power during winter seasons while in summers the export chances will largely depend on the output of hydropower.

RE Potential in Bulgaria

In December, Association for Production, Storage and Trading of Electricity (APSTE) said that Bulgaria has the potential to add 4,650 MW of solar power capacity and 2,350 MW of onshore wind capacity by 2030. The body said that this can help the country to raise the share of renewables in the energy basket to 58%.

According to an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) analysis, Bulgaria could save $700,000 annually if it replaces 3.7 GW of coal power plants with renewables.

There are several renewable projects in the pipeline in Bulgaria. Germany-based leading renewable player wpd has announced that the company will develop two wind energy parks that will be based near the Black Sea coasts. The projects are in an advanced state and there will be a total of 16 turbines located in the Balchik municipality having a capacity of 96 MW.

The government has also announced that it will solarize the rooftops of all state hospitals with an investment of € 30 million.