Bulgaria to add 1,500 MW of solar power capacity in 2024

Bulgaria will connect up to 1,500 MW of new solar capacity to the grid in 2024, according to Dimitar Zarchev, director of the Central Dispatch Office of transmission system operator Electricity System Operator (ESO).

Solar power plants with as much as 1,500 MW in combined capacity will be connected to the grid this year, which would bring the total to 4,500 MW, Dimitar Zarchev said at the Energy Summit 2024 in Sofia, Economic.bg reported.

The overall projected level is nominally more than two times higher than the largest power plant in Bulgaria – nuclear power plant Kozloduy, which has 2,000 MW in capacity. Solar power capacity utilization matches it sometimes during the day, Zarchev explained. At the same time, the country is preparing to build more nuclear reactors.

Zarchev: Surplus production from solar capacities is expected from as early as March

ESO’s official said the electricity market contributes to system balancing by facilitating energy trade and exports. Still, maintaining the equilibrium between supply and demand and handling the surplus at peak production times is an issue for every transmission system operator (TSO), he added.

“Flexibility capacities are necessary where we can store energy during peak production and use is when it is necessary – during peak hours” of consumption,” Zarchev pointed out.

According to him, surplus solar power is expected to occur as early as March and therefore new products are needed to manage it.

Ivanov: 12 TWh of electricity will enter the Bulgarian electricity exchange after the liberalization of the market

Chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC or, in Bulgarian, KEVR) Ivan Ivanov said 12 TWh of electricity would enter the Bulgarian power exchange with market liberalization, which is set for July 1.

Therefore strong oversight is required hinder abuses, which are often in this area, Ivanov added.

Of note, projects valued at EUR 5.6 billion in total to replace coal with cleaner sources are underway in Bulgaria.