Investors plan 17,500 MW of new renewable energy capacity by 2033 in Bulgaria – TSO

Investors are planning to build power plants with a total installed capacity of 19,000 MW in Bulgaria by 2033, according to the data presented by the country’s transmission system operator.

Renewable energy facilities including solar, wind, and hydropower account for 90% of the planned facilities or 17,500 MW, TSO Electricity System Operator said in its Ten-Year Plan for the Development of the Electricity Transmission Network, BNR reported.

It calculated the projection based on intentions expressed by investors. The majority or 85% of renewable energy projects are for solar power plants.

Of note, Bulgaria hosts the largest photovoltaic plant in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Only this year, up to 1,500 MW of new solar capacity is expected to be connected to the grid.

The projections don’t include a possible new nuclear power plant

ESO said the projections don’t include a possible new nuclear power plant, explaining it is a complex process and that a long time is required for construction.

Bulgaria is preparing to build its new nuclear facility. In February, Hyundai Engineering and Construction has been shortlisted as a potential contractor for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country’s northwest.

The country will transform from an exporter to importer of electricity

The country’s TSO underlined that the country would be transformed from an exporter to an electricity importer over the coming years. One of the reasons is the drop in coal power plant output due to the high cost of CO2 emissions, the plan reads.

ESO said that without financial support, coal plants would stop making electricity. The new reality started to set in in mid-2019, the company added.

Of note, in June Bulgaria had the weakest electricity production since 2019  as coal plant output slumped 19% year over year. ContourGlobal had to fire almost all workers at its Maritsa East 3 coal-fired power plant while state-owned Maritsa East 2 got a one-year lifeline from the government.