Bulgaria’s early-2026 power balance shows demand growth, imports rise and renewables expand

Bulgaria’s electricity market in early 2026 is being shaped by a widening gap between modest production growth and faster demand expansion, according to figures published by the country’s electricity transmission system operator ESO. The resulting shift has increased reliance on cross-border supply while also changing how generation is sourced across the grid.

Production up marginally as demand outpaces it

From 1 January to 3 May 2026, electricity production in Bulgaria rose by 0.18% compared with the same period in 2025, reaching 15.5 TWh. Over that interval, electricity consumption increased more sharply—up 6.83% to 15.46 TWh.

With demand running ahead of domestic generation, net electricity imports totaled 41.9 GWh during the observed period.

Baseload output declines while renewables rise

Baseload power plants, including coal and nuclear facilities, generated a combined 10.81 TWh of electricity in the first months of 2026. That level was down 12% versus the same period in 2025.

At the same time, Bulgaria saw an increase in renewable energy generation within its transmission network: RES output rose by a share of 5.91%, reaching 1,175.5 GWh. In contrast, the RES share in the distribution network edged down by 0.15%, totaling 1,170.2 GWh.

Taken together, the data point to a power system where consumption growth is outstripping supply from traditional baseload sources, while renewables are strengthening primarily at transmission level—factors that can influence procurement needs and import dependence as the year progresses.