Bulgaria’s installed battery storage capacity reached around 3.3 GW of power and 8.6 GWh of energy capacity by mid-2026, strengthening the country’s ability to absorb surplus solar generation and release electricity during periods of stronger demand.
Most of the new storage capacity is connected directly to the electricity grid, adding flexibility to a market that remained a net power exporter during periods of tight supply across Southeast Europe over the summer.
The rapid expansion has been supported by significant public funding. Nearly €1 billion from Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan has helped attract private investment into battery storage and renewable generation. Projects supported through the programme are expected to add around 3 GW of solar capacity and 15 GWh of battery storage.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has also been working with Bulgaria’s Energy Ministry since 2023 on competitive support schemes for standalone battery projects and storage systems combined with other energy assets.
Separately, the EBRD has invested €520 million across 23 Bulgarian green-energy transactions since 2023. These investments support approximately 732 MW of renewable generation capacity and are expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by around 920,000 tonnes.
The rapid growth of battery storage is becoming increasingly important as Bulgaria adds more solar generation to its power system. Batteries can absorb electricity during periods of strong daytime solar output and release it later when demand and wholesale prices are higher.
This ability to shift generation across the day can reduce solar curtailment, improve the utilisation of renewable capacity and reduce pressure on conventional generators during periods when solar production declines.
As the battery fleet continues to expand, storage is becoming a more important component of Bulgaria’s electricity-market infrastructure, providing flexibility that can support both domestic supply security and the country’s role as a regional power exporter.
