Bulgaria’s January energy data: power output and gas demand surge month-on-month, with annual trends diverging

Fresh Bulgarian energy statistics point to a strong start to the year on a monthly basis, with electricity generation and natural gas demand both rising sharply in January 2026. At the same time, comparisons versus January 2025 show a more uneven picture—an important distinction for anyone tracking how quickly demand is changing versus how much it is simply fluctuating from month to month.

According to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, electricity production in January 2026 increased by 12.3% compared with December, reaching 4,126 GWh. Over the same period, electricity consumption grew by 12.5%, climbing to 4,015 GWh.

Gas demand strengthens while supply stays flat

The monthly momentum extended into gas markets as well. Natural gas consumption in January 2026 rose by 14.3%, reaching 359 million cubic meters. Production during the month remained unchanged at 1 million cubic meters, underscoring that higher usage was not matched by an increase in output.

Diverging year-on-year signals for power and fuel use

The annual comparison adds nuance. Versus January 2025, electricity production fell by 2.3%, while electricity consumption increased by 8.8%. For natural gas, consumption expanded by 20.1% year-on-year.

Pumps and solid fuels: mixed movements across refined products

Bulgaria’s refined product figures also showed contrasting patterns between production and demand across fuels.

(Unleaded petrol): production rose by 31.5% to 121,000 tons, but consumption dropped by 39.7% to 38,000 tons.

(Diesel): production increased by 38.4% to 227,000 tons, while consumption declined by  9.1%

(Liquefied petroleum gas or LPG): consumption fell by  13.2%

(Solid fuels): production increased by  23.3%

The data further indicate that in January, solid fuels production climbed by  23.3%> to reach  2,245 thousand tons, while solid fuel consumption also rose—up by  20.1%>—to reach

211000 tons Consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dropped by…