Significant Growth in Solar Energy Contribution
Photovoltaic (PV) participation in the transmission grid surged by 115.01% from January 1, 2024, to May 19, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The latest operational report from the Electricity System Operator (ESO) highlights this substantial increase in the energy market. During this period, PV energy contributed 739,248 megawatt hours to the transmission grid, up from 343,814 MWh in the previous year.
Renewable Energy Sources on the Rise
The share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the transmission grid also saw a significant increase of 44.53% for the same timeframe. In the distribution network, RES contribution grew by 27.18% in 2024. Specifically, 1,105,746 MWh of electricity from renewable sources were injected into the distribution network by May 19, compared to 869,458 MWh in the same period last year. Notably, PV power stations’ participation in the distribution grid increased by 55.06%.
Decline in Overall Electricity Generation and Consumption
However, overall electricity generation in Bulgaria decreased by 11.41% from January 1 to May 19, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. This year, 14,874,702 MWh were produced, down from 16,790,779 MWh last year. Additionally, the country’s electricity consumption dropped by 4.51% during this period, with 14,616,738 MWh consumed in 2024, compared to 15,307,557 MWh in the previous year.
The electricity export-import balance declined sharply by 82.61% from January 1, 2024, to May 19, 2024. The balance was 257,964 MWh this year, significantly lower than 1,483,222 MWh in the same period last year. This highlights the shifting dynamics in the energy market trends.
Base-Load and Hydropower Plant Performance
The report also indicated a decrease of 18.99% in the output from base-load power plants from January 1 to May 19, 2024. These plants generated 11,309,390 MWh of electricity, compared to 13,961,010 MWh in the same period in 2023. On the other hand, electricity generated from hydropower plants increased by 13.67% during this period, reflecting a shift towards more sustainable energy sources.
Conclusion
The ESO report underscores significant developments in the solar energy market and energy storage trends in Bulgaria. The dramatic increase in photovoltaic plant integration and the growing share of renewable energy sources highlight the impact of green energy policies and solar energy investments. Despite a general decline in electricity generation and consumption, the advancements in solar technology and the shift towards sustainable energy solutions signal a positive trend in the solar market analysis.
Source：bta.bg
