Support for RES: Up to 7,500 MW of batteries expected in Bulgaria

The Electricity System Operator (ESO) expects Bulgaria to have up to 7,500 MW of energy storage systems by the end of 2026, which would open up opportunities for further investment in renewable energy sources (RES).

Since the fall of 2024, there has been a trend of great interest in batteries, and the ESO has already signed preliminary contracts for over 7,000 MW of batteries with a total capacity of 21,000 MWh. Most of them are already in serious development, with building permits issued and final contracts signed. These figures were presented by the executive director of the system operator, Angelin Tsachev, during the Green Transition forum.

More batteries

Storage systems are important and essential for the utilization of large amounts of renewable energy," said Tsachev.

He explained that Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania have great potential for solar energy production. For example, in Bulgaria, it reaches 3,500 MW, but consumption is 3,200 MW, and investors in renewable energy have to sell their electricity at zero price.

The only way to keep investors interested is to develop networks and storage systems so that producers can be sure they will recoup their investments," said Tsachev.

Bulgaria has very well-developed interconnection and, at this stage, cross-border capacity exceeds 4,200 MW, which few countries in Europe can boast.

According to Tzachev, this capacity is not sufficient if our country wants to continue to develop significant amounts of RES, batteries, and low-emission base capacity, and it needs to be increased.

A long process

A well-functioning European energy market is impossible without connectivity," Tsachev believes.

According to him, in recent years the European Commission has underestimated the development of networks, while encouraging investment mainly in new production facilities.

Bulgaria is a member of the European single energy market, but the price is much higher than in the rest of Southeast Europe. Investments are being made in renewable energy and storage systems throughout the region, but prices remain high.

We hope that once we have enough batteries, we will perhaps see their impact on prices, but this is all a long process. I do not believe that consumers in the region should be discriminated against, but we are, and we cannot take advantage of the natural resources available in other parts of Europe," said the expert.

According to him, there is insufficient energy connectivity throughout Eastern Europe, meaning that energy cannot be shared, which is a major problem and the main reason why Spain and Portugal were left without power at the end of April.

Translated with DeepL.