One of the two MWh of electricity imported by Romania this year comes from Bulgaria. And while Romania’s electricity production is falling, Bulgaria’s is increasing – likewise, Romania’s deficit in the energy balance is deepening, and Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly significant net exporter.
In the first nine months of this year, the Romanian energy balance worsened, due to a higher growth in imports than in exports.
Net national electricity production fell by 7% in the first nine months of 2022, while consumption fell by only 6%. The export of electricity increased by 0.8 TWh (28%), according to Transelektrika data. However, imports increased by 1.2 TWh (30%). This means that last year, after nine months, Romania had a deficit of only 0.9 TWh, while in the same period this year it reached 1.3 TWh, i.e. 44% more.
The total import of electricity in the first nine months was 5.1 TWh, and the export was only 3.8 TWh. Imports increased at the border with Bulgaria, Ukraine and Modavia, and decreased at the border with Serbia and Hungary. A significant increase in electricity imports from Bulgaria was recorded during this period, to 2.88 TWh – more than double compared to the first nine months of 2021 (1.33 TWh).
Practically, after an increase of 1.5 TWh, imports from Bulgaria represent more than half (56%) of Romania’s total electricity imports. Obviously, part of this energy could be transited to other countries, and part of the transactions was certainly realized through the tiled spot market.
According to the latest data from the Bulgarian transmission and system operator, from the beginning of the year to November 13, electricity production in the country increased by about 8.3%, to 43.4 TWh, while national consumption decreased by 1.6%, to 32, 5 TWh.
In this period, Bulgaria was a net exporter, with a balance of 10.9 TWh, which is about 20% of Romanian consumption this year.
Source: e-nergia.ro
