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

Is Electricity Growing in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria’s electricity picture shows encouraging clean-generation growth, but total consumption remains below its historical peak. The latest 2026 electricity consumption figure is about 5,900 kWh per person—roughly 1,000 kWh, or 15%, below the 2011 record of nearly 6,900 kWh per person. This comparison does not establish whether consumption grew over the past year, but it highlights the gap from the previous peak. Low-carbon electricity generation, however, reached a new record of 4,400 kWh per person, exceeding the 2025 record by about 430 kWh, or 11%. That is welcome progress; expanding clean electricity further would help Bulgaria meet additional demand from electrification and AI.

Suggestions

Bulgaria can build on its existing strengths by expanding nuclear and solar generation, alongside grid investment and electricity storage. Slovakia and France offer relevant European examples: nuclear supplies about two-thirds of electricity generation in both, compared with Bulgaria’s 37%. Nearby North Macedonia demonstrates substantial solar deployment, with solar providing 40% of its electricity generation—around twice Bulgaria’s share. Bulgaria could learn from these regions’ approaches to delivering projects and connecting new clean generation. Wind can also contribute more: neighbouring Greece generates about 21% of its electricity from wind, compared with Bulgaria’s roughly 3%. Together, additional nuclear, solar and wind would strengthen Bulgaria’s low-carbon electricity supply and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

History

Bulgaria’s low-carbon electricity history features major nuclear gains, interrupted by disappointing setbacks, followed by more recent contributions from solar and hydropower. Nuclear generation increased by 2.8 TWh in 1981, 2 TWh in 1983 and 3 TWh in 1988. During the 1990s, a 1.6 TWh decline in 1992 was followed by gains of 2.4 TWh in 1993 and 1.9 TWh in 1995. Further increases of 2.4 TWh in 2000 and 1.8 TWh in 2005 were interrupted by deeply disappointing losses of 2.9 TWh in 2003 and 4.9 TWh in 2007—the largest listed setback, representing a substantial loss of clean electricity. Another nuclear decline of 1.6 TWh in 2013 was followed by a 1.7 TWh recovery in 2014. Hydropower fluctuated throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, with gains of roughly 1.6–1.9 TWh in 2010, 2018 and 2021, and declines of roughly 1.6–2 TWh in 2011, 2016 and 2019. More recently, solar added 1.8 TWh in 2024 and hydropower added 1.7 TWh in 2026—welcome gains to build upon.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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