Over the past year, spanning from December 2024 to November 2025, Bulgaria has seen its electricity consumption characterized by a significant share of low-carbon sources. In fact, more than two-thirds (around 70%) of the country's electricity is generated from low-carbon sources, with nuclear power alone contributing almost 40%. Solar power, although less than nuclear, provides a notable share at nearly 18%, while wind accounts for a smaller fraction at about 4%. The contribution from hydropower is around 7%, and biofuels, while part of the low-carbon mix, supply approximately 3%. On the other hand, fossil fuels still account for just under a third of electricity generation, with coal being the dominant source at over 24%, and natural gas contributing close to 5%. This current energy profile highlights Bulgaria's substantial inclination towards low-carbon sources, particularly nuclear and solar, while still grappling with significant fossil fuel dependence.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, ENTSOE, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Bulgaria?
Despite the predominant use of low-carbon power, Bulgaria’s overall electricity consumption per capita appears to be in decline, when compared to historic peaks. In 2025, the average consumption was 5472 kWh/person. This is a considerable drop from the peak record of 6883 kWh/person set in 2011, showing a reduction of 1411 kWh/person. However, on a positive note, the generation of low-carbon electricity has seen an upward trend. The latest figures show 3848 kWh/person from low-carbon sources, a slight increase of 26 kWh/person from 2024’s record. While the overall consumption might not yet be growing, the marginal increase in low-carbon electricity reflects a budding effort towards cleaner, sustainable energy in the country.
Suggestions
To boost its clean electricity generation further, Bulgaria should consider expanding existing nuclear and solar capacities, as these sources already provide significant portions of the current low-carbon mix. Drawing inspiration from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power generates an impressive 68% and 67% of electricity respectively, Bulgaria can enhance its sustainable energy infrastructure through strategic investments in nuclear technology. Likewise, the country can learn from states like Nevada and Lebanon, which have embraced solar energy, generating up to 33% and 31% from solar power alone. Additionally, embracing lessons from wind-rich regions such as Denmark and Iowa, where wind contributes over half of the electricity, could help diversify Bulgaria's low-carbon sources with more emphasis on wind capacity where feasible.
History
A historical look at Bulgaria's low-carbon energy generation reveals pivotal changes, particularly in the nuclear sector. In the early 1980s, nuclear power witnessed considerable growth with a consistent expansion until the early '90s. This trend took a downturn in the early '90s with significant declines in nuclear output in 1991 and 1992, only to experience recovery mid-decade. Yet again, the 2000s observed fluctuations with both sizeable declines and rebounds, highlighted by a notable drop in 2007. In recent years, significant progress can be seen in solar energy, having achieved a notable increase in 2024. While hydroelectric power has seen periodic gains and losses, the general trajectory underscores a movement towards diversified low-carbon solutions, spearheaded by renewed efforts to boost nuclear and solar capacities.
