Bulgaria exported a net 3.5 TWh of electricity between the start of the year and early October, 62% more than a year earlier, when exports were 2.16 TWh. The Association for Electricity Production, Storage and Trading (APSTE) said this, citing data from the Electricity System Operator.
Electricity output rose 12.24%, while use rose 8.45%. Renewable sources produced 11.5 TWh, almost 34% more than last year, and account for nearly 80% of the rise in output. APSTE says renewables, backed by storage systems, made the main contribution.
Batteries fed 1,720 GWh back into the grid from the start of the year to 4 October. A year earlier the figure was 190 GWh, more than nine times less. They store cheap daytime power, which is then used in the hours when demand and prices are higher.
In summer, long heatwaves and low water levels in the Danube cut nuclear and hydropower output in the region. Bulgaria still stayed a net exporter and, at key times, kept prices lower than in neighbouring markets. APSTE credits solar plants, batteries and the Kozloduy nuclear plant.
APSTE chairman Nikola Gazdov said prices in neighbouring countries are high and power is short because their nuclear plants are running at reduced output and natural gas is costly. "Bulgaria is producing and storing more and more of its own electricity. That means more competitive prices for households and business, greater energy security and a stronger position on the regional energy market," he said.
In winter, solar output falls while demand rises. APSTE says the sun and batteries are not enough, and that to get more cheap local power in the cold months Bulgaria must speed up the building of wind farms.