Bulgaria energy report

• Bulgaria's electricity and gas market liberalisation remains limited.
• Since 2011, Bulgaria has multiplied disincentives for renewables.
• Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) accounts for around 55% of power generation, 90% of wholesale gas sales, and more than 90% of lignite mining.
• Electricity distribution is ensured by 3 foreign companies.
• CO₂-free sources accounted for 52% of power generation in 2019. Russia is the main gas supplier, with a declining market share.
• Electricity and gas prices for households are more than 40% below the EU average.
• Total energy consumption has been rather stable since 2014.
• Bulgaria has revived its Belene nuclear project.
• Many regional gas interconnection projects are under development, as Bulgaria aims to become a regional gas hub.

• Institutions & Energy Policy

  The Ministry of Energy oversees the country's energy policy.

  The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) regulates the energy sector, including some energy prices (gas, electricity, water and district heating). It also approves the construction of gas and oil pipelines.

  Its independence was strengthened by an amendment to the Bulgarian Energy Law in March 2015.

• Energy Companies

  Electricity:

  In 2008, the five large public energy companies - historical operators of the electricity sector, gas and coal companies - were grouped under BEH, Bulgarian Energy Holding.

• Energy Supply

  Resources:

  Bulgaria has substantial lignite reserves (2.2 Gt), although they are difficult to reach because they are located under cities and villages, and have a high sulphur content (2%). Bulgaria also has more modest reserves of coal (192 Mt), oil (2.5 Mt) and natural gas (less than 5 bcm).

• Energy Prices

  Electricity:

  Electricity prices soared between 2002 and 2013 (+71% for industry and +81% for households) to reflect production costs. The 9% increase in 2012 triggered massive demonstrations and the government resignation in 2013. Residential prices have increased moderately since then (+1%/year between 2015 and 2020), while industrial prices rose by 4.5%/year until 2019 (-7% in 2020).

• Energy Consumption

  Consumption per capita is 2.7 toe (13% lower than the EU average in 2019), with electricity accounting for about 4 400 kWh in 2019 (20% below the EU average).

  Total energy consumption has been rather stable since 2014 (18.5 Mt in 2019). It had contracted by 2.7%/year between 2006 and 2013.

• Issues & Prospects

  Electricity:

  According to ESO, electricity consumption should increase slightly between 2020 and 2029 (+0.5%/year). Between 2020 and 2029, ESO expects a capacity addition of 560 MW of CHP and 1 465 MW of renewables (equally shared between wind and solar).

• GENERAL OVERVIEW
• INSTITUTIONS AND ENERGY POLICY
• ENERGY COMPANIES
• ENERGY SUPPLY
• ENERGY PRICES
• ENERGY CONSUMPTION
• ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
• DATA TABLES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• GLOSSARY

Download the Table of Contents

Below is a list of the Bulgaria energy market report graphs:

• GRAPH 1: CO₂-energy emissions (MtCO₂)
• GRAPH 2: Installed electric capacity by source (2019, %)
• GRAPH 3: Gross power production by source (TWh)
• GRAPH 4: Power generation by source (2019, %)
• GRAPH 5: Gasoline & diesel prices (€/l)
• GRAPH 6: Electricity prices for industry and households (€c/kWh)
• GRAPH 7: Gas prices for industry and households (€c/kWh GCV)
• GRAPH 8: Consumption trends by energy source (Mtoe)
• GRAPH 9: Total consumption market share by energy 2019, %)
• GRAPH 10: Final consumption market share by sector (2019, %)
• GRAPH 11: Oil consumption (Mt)
• GRAPH 12: Oil consumption breakdown by sector (2019, %)
• GRAPH 13: Electricity consumption (TWh)
• GRAPH 14: Electricity consumption breakdown by sector (2019, %)
• GRAPH 15: Natural gas consumption (bcm)
• GRAPH 16: Gas consumption breakdown by sector (2019, %)
• GRAPH 17: Coal consumption (Mt)
• GRAPH 18: Coal consumption breakdown by sector (2019, %)

In the Bulgaria energy market report you will find the following tables:

• Economic Indicators: Annual historical data including population, GDP growth, imports and exports, inflation rate, energy security and efficiency indicators, CO₂ emissions.
• Supply Indicators: Historical data including oil and gas reserves, electric and refining capacity, energy production, power production and external trade. All are detailed by energy source.
• Demand Indicators: Historical data including consumption per inhabitant, consumption trends, total consumption by energy source, final consumption by energy source and sector, and electricity consumption by sector.
• Energy Balances: Single table displaying the overall energy industry balance per annum, also graphically displayed by energy sub-segment.
• Infrastructure Projects: Covers power plant projects by energy, technology, status and operator.

The Bulgaria country dashboards are complemented with country forecasts from EnerFuture (excel file) with scenario comparison.

Data included in the excelsheet:

• Demand: Primary energy consumption, final energy consumption, by fuel, by sector.
• Power: Electricity generation & capacities, by technology.
• CO₂: Total CO₂ emissions.
• Macro-economy: Main macro-economic assumptions.
• Key indicators: Energy intensity, share of renewables, CO₂ emissions per capita and per unit of GDP.