Over the 12-month period from November 2024 to October 2025, Bulgaria's electricity consumption has seen a pronounced inclination towards low-carbon sources. Low-carbon electricity makes up more than 70% of the total electricity generation, with nuclear energy being the most significant contributor at around 40%. Solar energy follows, contributing over 17% of the total electricity generated. Hydropower, wind, and biofuels make up smaller portions, rounding out Bulgaria's low-carbon profile. Fossil energy accounts for nearly 30% of electricity generation, with coal being a major player at about 24% and natural gas making up the remainder. The leaning towards low-carbon electricity generation reflects Bulgaria's commitment to cleaner energy sources, which offers an encouraging trend in reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, ENTSOE, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Bulgaria?
Despite these positive developments, Bulgaria has seen a decrease in overall electricity consumption. The latest figure is 5529 kWh/person, which marks a decline compared to the peak of 6883 kWh/person in 2011. This decrease is disconcerting given the increasing demands on electricity from technological advancements and electrification. However, it is noteworthy that Bulgaria has made strides in increasing its low-carbon electricity generation, reaching a new peak of 3895 kWh/person in 2025, surpassing the previous low-carbon record of 3823 kWh/person in 2024. While these gains in clean energy generation are promising, they require further growth to meet future energy needs sustainably.
Suggestions
To continue increasing its share of low-carbon electricity generation, Bulgaria should expand its nuclear and solar energy infrastructure. Learning from successful regions can provide valuable insights. France and Slovakia are leaders in nuclear power, with 69% and 67% of their electricity coming from nuclear respectively, showcasing the potential for substantial clean electricity contributions. In terms of solar energy, Lebanon and Nevada utilize about 31% and 30% of their electricity generation from solar, illustrating the potential for solar expansion. These examples highlight pathways for Bulgaria to enhance its energy resilience through the development of reliable low-carbon electricity sources, thereby ensuring sustainable energy security and economic growth.
History
Historically, Bulgaria's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced both growth and setbacks, primarily driven by nuclear and hydroelectric power. In the early 1980s, Bulgaria saw consistent growth in nuclear energy with notable increases, including a 2.8 TWh rise in 1981 and subsequent increases in the following years. However, there were significant drops such as a 2.9 TWh decrease in 2003 and a 4.9 TWh decline in 2007, which indicate periods of stagnation or decreased reliance on nuclear energy. Hydroelectric power had varied trends, seeing both gains and losses over the years. Notably, 2021 marked a positive moment with a 2.3 TWh increase in hydropower generation. More recently, in 2024, solar energy showed promising potential with a significant 1.8 TWh increase, indicating a strategic move towards diversifying Bulgaria’s low-carbon energy portfolio through solar infrastructure expansion.
