Bulgaria Electricity Transmission Modernization Offers Opportunities
An update on $900 million Transmission System Operator grid-modernization plan
Bulgaria’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) has signed a contract with the country’s Ministry of Energy for the first phase of its Greenabler project, designed to modernize the national electricity transmission network. This US$887.8 million initiative, funded by the EU’s Modernization Fund, aims to enhance Bulgaria’s grid capacity and support the integration of renewable energy.
The Greenabler project aims to reconstruct a total of 966 km of 220 kV power lines and upgrade them to 400 kV, as well as to rebuild 900 km of existing 110 kV lines. The plan also envisages the Transmission System Operator (TSO) installing new 400 kV power lines, reinforcing 92 km of 110 kV lines, and reconstructing about 20 existing substations. The plan is expected to be completed by 2030.
The modernization project will allow the connection of new renewable capacity to the Bulgarian grid. More than 1.7 GW of new renewables have been installed in 2022 and 2023, while the ESO expects an additional 4.5 GW to be connected to the grid by the end of 2026. The upgrade should increase transmission capacity and strengthen internal connectivity, enabling the integration of additional renewable energy sources in the future.
The national power grid operator runs a 2,000 km network of 220 kV, the bulk of which was built between 1950 and 1970. The ESO is also expanding its interconnections with neighboring countries, with the second electricity interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece beginning its trial operation earlier this summer.
In the meantime, Bulgaria has set a national target of 27% for the share of renewables in the country’s gross final energy consumption by 2030. The volume of renewable energy in Bulgaria’s transmission network jumped by 58% year over year to 1,925 GWh. Solar power increased by 139% to 1,254 GWh, while wind power edged up 1.15% to 586.4 GWh. The volume of renewable power in the distribution system grew by 10.37% to 1,932 GWh, according to data published by the ESO earlier this week.
The Greenabler project opens vast new opportunities for U.S. exporters in power network systems’ equipment - design, cables, substations, energy storage and energy solutions in managing the cybersecurity risk. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine placed a renewed emphasis on energy security, prompting the Bulgarian Government to prioritize immediate energy needs and secure supplies. Opportunities exist for U.S. suppliers of innovative technologies and solutions focused on energy storage, grid resilience and efficiency through digital solutions for utilities and are compliant with corresponding EU regulation and industry standards. Bulgarian companies are generally open to working with U.S. companies.
Commercial Service Bulgaria encourages U.S. companies offering advanced grid technologies such as smart grids, smart meters, EV integration, and demand-response systems to explore the opportunity.
For more information on the Greenabler program of Bulgaria’s electricity transmission system operator, please contact Emily.Taneva@trade.gov.