As of 2025, Bulgaria's electricity consumption presents an interesting mix of sources, predominantly featuring both low-carbon and fossil energy. Low-carbon energy sources contribute over two-thirds to the electricity generation, with nuclear being the most significant player at nearly 40%. Solar energy provides almost a fifth of the country's electricity, showcasing its burgeoning role in the energy mix. Hydropower and wind add smaller shares of around 8% and 3% respectively, indicating areas with development potential. On the fossil front, coal remains prevalent, supplying more than a quarter of Bulgaria's electricity needs, while natural gas accounts for a smaller slice, around 5%. This mix reflects Bulgaria's commitment to reducing carbon emissions while balancing energy sources to meet the nation's electricity demand.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, ENTSOE, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Bulgaria?
Analyzing Bulgaria's electricity consumption trends shows a decrease when compared with historic data. The latest consumption figure is 5479 kWh per person, significantly down from the 2011 peak of 6883 kWh per person, marking a stark reduction of 1404 kWh per person. Even low-carbon electricity generation has seen a slight dip from its 2024 peak of 3823 kWh per person to 3764 kWh per person in 2025, highlighting a concerning downturn by 59 kWh per person. Such stagnation and decline in electricity consumption, especially in low-carbon generation, could hinder the country's progress toward sustainable energy goals, as well as preparedness for the rising energy demands of future infrastructure and technologies.
Suggestions
To expand low-carbon electricity generation, Bulgaria can make strategic advances in its existing strengths of nuclear and solar power. Looking towards reference regions, Bulgaria could emulate France, where nuclear power stands at an impressive 70% of electricity generation. For solar, learning from states like Nevada, which achieves 33% of its electricity from solar, could offer practical insights. Investing in these proven strategies can significantly contribute to boosting Bulgaria's clean electricity output. Additionally, incorporating lessons from wind energy leaders like Denmark and Iowa, where wind accounts for 59% and 60% of electricity production respectively, can diversify Bulgaria's green energy portfolio and challenge the dominance of fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Bulgaria's low-carbon electricity has seen considerable shifts, especially in its nuclear power sector. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, nuclear power experienced a series of expansions with yearly increases of up to 3 TWh, only to face setbacks with notable declines in the early 2000s, particularly in 2003 and 2007 when generation fell by nearly 3 and 5 TWh, respectively. Nevertheless, nuclear energy has remained a backbone, rebounding with periods of stable growth. The hydroelectric power sector has similarly faced fluctuations, notably reducing by 2 TWh in 2011 and 2019, with intermittent increases. More recently, solar energy marked an upward trajectory with a boost of 1.8 TWh in 2024. By addressing these historical patterns and building upon successful periods of growth, Bulgaria can effectively transition into a future powered by sustainable low-carbon energy sources.
