ESO will build public charging stations for electric vehicles in 35 cities

The Electricity System Operator (ESO) is continuing with the development of public charging stations for electric vehicles and has more projects in the pipeline. In partnership with the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC), the operator plans to install such stations at railway stations in thirty-five major cities across the country. ESO's investment will be around BGN 20 million, and these projects will take place in regional cities. This was announced to journalists by the operator's executive director, Angelin Tsachev.

The project is in its early stages, but the two state-owned companies are yet to sign a memorandum and there is no specific deadline for its completion.

Together with NKZI, ESO is developing another idea: the company will install solar facilities with a total capacity of 30 MW on vacant land, such as roofs and agricultural land, owned by the stations.

Last year, ESO created “ESO Charge,” a special company responsible for building a national infrastructure of charging stations for electric vehicles near the substations of Bulgaria's electricity transmission operator.

At the time, it was announced that the company's ambition was to build nearly 250 charging stations for electric vehicles powered by electricity from zero-emission sources across the country within five years. ESO operates 300 substations, which provides the opportunity for the charging infrastructure to be nationwide.

The company already has a pilot project in Burgas, which includes 1.2 MW fast charging stations for electric vehicles with four charging points.

Translated with DeepL.