Electricity in Bulgaria in 2024
In 2024, Bulgaria generates a substantial majority of its electricity from low-carbon sources, with over 70% classified as clean energy. Nuclear power predominates, contributing to almost 42% of the total electricity supply, making it the backbone of Bulgaria's low-carbon electricity. Solar and hydropower also play significant roles, together constituting about a quarter of all electricity generation. On the other hand, fossil energy represents just over a quarter of all electricity production, with coal being the primary fossil fuel, supplying around 22%, while gas contributes close to 5%.
Suggestions
To further augment its low-carbon electricity generation, Bulgaria can capitalize on expanding its existing nuclear and solar capacities, which already have significant roles in its energy mix. Observing successful examples, Bulgaria could ambitiously increase its nuclear power, drawing inspiration from France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy accounts for 68% and 62% of electricity generation, respectively. Furthermore, Bulgaria can look to Denmark and Ireland for wind energy development since these countries generate a remarkable 52% and 32% of their electricity from wind power, respectively. Leveraging similar strategies, Bulgaria has the potential to enhance its sustainable energy landscape significantly.
History
The history of Bulgaria's low-carbon electricity tells a tale of fluctuations, especially concerning its nuclear power sector. In the 1980s and early 1990s, nuclear power often saw incremental increases, although the early 1990s brought some setbacks with declines in output. The early 2000s marked another challenging period, particularly in 2003 and 2007, with significant reductions in nuclear electricity generation. However, Bulgaria has made strides in recent years, notably with a positive contribution from solar energy in 2024. Hydropower has experienced variability, with notable advancements in the last five years, such as in 2021. This history highlights the resilience and potential for growth in Bulgaria's low-carbon electricity sector, setting the stage for continued development and sustainability.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.