Does Bulgaria have a supply monopoly?

The regulated Bulgarian electricity market is dominated by a few major players that have built a supply monopoly. undertaking, there is no real competition in the distribution market that could enable consumers to choose their supplier, as there is only one licensed supplier in each geographical region.

How much electricity does Bulgaria produce in 2022?

In 2022, the Bulgarian energy industry exported more than 12 TWh of electricity totaling to EUR 3 billion, (USD 3.24 billion). Currently, the installed power generation capacity in Bulgaria is 13.247 MW, and the available capacity is 10,771 MW.

Why is Bulgaria's electricity system holding back?

Bulgaria's electricity system has been held back by the boom in renewable energy in recent years, mainly due to a lack of investment in the grid. This was the conclusion of a roundtable on "Electricity Networks and Network Services - Challenges for Energy Transition and Market Liberalisation" organised by the Institute for Energy Management.

How many renewable power plants will Bulgaria have in 2024?

Bulgaria will add over 2,500 MW of installed renewable power capacity by the end of 2024 through the installation of 700 MW of wind farms, 1,600 MW of solar parks, and 219 MW of biomass-fired power plants. In Bulgaria, the National Electric Company (NEK) owns 15 conventional hydro and pumped-storage plants.

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.

How much energy does Bulgaria produce?

Currently, the installed power generation capacity in Bulgaria is 13.247 MW, and the available capacity is 10,771 MW. To support its energy needs, Bulgaria imports natural gas, oil and oil products, and solid fuels (anthracite and black coal, coal coke). The main local energy source in Bulgaria is lignite coal.