Bulgaria’s solar energy production is projected to contribute 60-70% of the country’s total electricity supply during certain hours as soon as this spring, according to forecasts from the electricity transmission system operator, ESO.
At a conference organized by the Association for Production, Storage, and Trading of Electricity (APSTE), Dimitar Zarchev from ESO explained that while the anticipated surge in solar energy output will be supported by battery storage to maintain network stability, widespread deployment of such systems will take time.
Deputy Minister of Energy Iva Petrova reiterated the Government’s commitment to developing a regulatory framework that encourages the adoption of energy storage technologies and the seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the national grid.
APSTE Chairman Nikola Gazdov emphasized that renewable energy offers affordable electricity for both households and businesses, and that expanding storage capacity will further advance the growth of renewables, reducing costs in the long term. However, he also highlighted that no new wind turbines have been built in the past decade due to bureaucratic obstacles and negative public perception. Gazdov stressed that Bulgaria urgently needs additional wind farms to ensure a steady supply of low-cost electricity, especially when solar energy is not available.
