For the first time, electricity production from solar energy has exceeded consumption in the Bulgarian power system — for two hours on 20 June 2025. This is shown by a review conducted by BTA of the hourly data from the Bulgarian Electricity System Operator (ESO) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E).
According to ESO data, between 10:00 and 11:00 AM last Friday, the generated energy from photovoltaic plants averaged 2,935 megawatts, while system consumption was 2,917 megawatts. Between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, solar power production averaged 3,230 megawatts. Thus, during the first of the two periods considered, electricity from photovoltaic plants exceeded system load by 17 megawatts, and in the second hour by 313 megawatts.
The average generated energy for the aforementioned hourly periods was 6,567 megawatts and 6,736 megawatts respectively, indicating that Bulgarian electricity export amounted to over 3,000–3,500 megawatts.
Due to the nature of the market, the energy produced by photovoltaic plants was not entirely consumed domestically. Many traders and customers have long-term contracts with suppliers such as thermal power plants, the National Electric Company (NEK), the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, and others.
“This is a significant event and a great success for Bulgaria and Bulgarian energy. Our positioning as a leading country in photovoltaic energy production not only supports the realization and fulfillment of the decarbonization commitments of Bulgaria but also has a positive effect on the the investment climate in the country. Thanks to solar energy, which we convert into electricity, we are modernizing the entire Bulgarian energy sector,” commented Meglena Rusenova, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association, in an interview with BTA.
She added that this achievement is the result of a significant increase in installed capacity.
“My observation is that the photovoltaic sector is possibly the fastest-growing private investment sector in Bulgaria, currently in strong upward momentum. Over the past two years, more than €2 billion have been invested in energy facilities for electricity production, excluding energy storage systems,” Rusenova said. She further explained that these capital investments do not include investments in energy infrastructure, such as network connections, and the modernization of grids and facilities (transformer stations, etc.). According to her, “solar energy contributes to lowering prices for end consumers and businesses, and photovoltaic electricity is practically the most significant factor for lower prices on the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange.”
She noted that symbolically, the event occurred just one day before the celebration of the International Day of Solar Energy (21 June).
According to ESO data, in the past three years, a total of 3,500 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity has been connected, bringing the total installed capacity to 4,700 megawatts. Furthermore, a report from the transmission operator provided to BTA indicates that by early May, requests for connection to the distribution network for new photovoltaic power plants (PVPs) with a total installed capacity of nearly 300 megawatts have been submitted. During the same period, 12 applications were received for connection to the transmission network for new PVPs with a total installed capacity of nearly 1,000 megawatts.
Source: BTA
