From October 2025 through September 2026, low-carbon sources supplied about three-quarters of Bulgaria’s electricity consumption, while fossil fuels supplied roughly one-quarter. Nuclear was the largest source, contributing about 37%, followed by solar at 19% and hydropower at 12%. Wind and biofuels each contributed around 3%, completing the clean electricity mix. Among fossil sources, coal accounted for almost 20% of electricity consumption and gas for about 5%. Bulgaria therefore has a strong low-carbon foundation, although replacing its remaining fossil electricity would help reduce climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria’s electricity picture shows encouraging clean generation growth, but total consumption remains well below its historical peak. The latest 2026 electricity consumption figure is about 5,900 kWh per person, compared with the record of almost 6,900 kWh in 2011—a gap of roughly 1,000 kWh per person, or 15%. This does not establish whether consumption rose or fell compared with 2025, but the distance below the record warrants attention as electrification and AI increase future electricity needs. Low-carbon generation, meanwhile, reached a new record of 4,400 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of about 4,000 kWh in 2025 by 432 kWh, or roughly 11%. That is a substantial achievement worth building on.

Suggestions

Bulgaria should expand nuclear and solar generation, building on two technologies that already supply large amounts of its electricity, while also developing more wind power. Slovakia offers a relevant regional nuclear example, generating about two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear, while France achieves a similar share. Their experience can inform Bulgaria’s nuclear expansion planning and development of specialist skills. Nearby North Macedonia, where solar supplies 40% of electricity, offers a particularly useful benchmark for further solar growth. Greece, with wind supplying about 21%, demonstrates the potential for a much larger wind contribution in the region. Alongside additional generation, stronger electricity networks, storage and flexible demand would help Bulgaria accommodate growing clean electricity supplies and support greater electrification.

History

Bulgaria’s low-carbon electricity history includes several major waves of growth. Nuclear generation expanded strongly during the 1980s, with year-on-year increases of 2.8 TWh in 1981, 2 TWh in 1983 and 3 TWh in 1988. Further substantial additions followed in the 1990s and 2000s: 2.4 TWh in 1993, 1.9 TWh in 1995, 2.4 TWh in 2000 and 1.8 TWh in 2005. Another nuclear increase of 1.7 TWh came in 2014. Hydropower also delivered notable gains, including 1.6 TWh in 2010, 1.9 TWh in 2018 and 1.7 TWh in both 2021 and 2026. More recently, solar added 1.8 TWh in 2024, highlighting its growing role alongside Bulgaria’s established nuclear and hydro generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Oct 2025 – Sep 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.