The share of RES in the energy balance from the beginning of the year to April 11 decreased by just over 14 percent

The indicators for the production and consumption of electricity are improving noticeably. It should be noted that for the first time in a long time, electricity consumption is already in the black. The balance (exports-imports) remains positive, but the downward trend that began weeks ago remains clear. For another reporting period, the data on the participation of base plants are improving. However, data on the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the transmission and distribution networks are deteriorating. Hydropower plants (HPPs) retain their leading position in terms of participation, but here, too, there is a percentage change. This is clear from the operational report of the Electricity System Operator (ESO) for the energy balance of Bulgaria for the period from January 1 to April 11 this year (1.01.2021 - 11.04.2021), compared to the same period in 2020.

Electricity production for the period January 1 - April 11 this year increased by 5.33 percent (plus 4.66% reported a week ago). For comparison, if in the mentioned comparable period of 2020 the production of electricity was in the volume of 12 938 276 MWh, in the current 2021 it is already in the range of 13 628 071 MWh.

Electricity consumption during the reporting period increased (plus) by 0.50% (minus 0.12% reported a week ago, 0.00% two weeks ago). For example, in the compared days from the first day of January to the eleventh day of April last year, electricity consumption was in the range of 12,114,696 MWh. At the same time in 2021, electricity consumption increased to a volume of 12,175,865 MWh.

The balance (exports-imports) remained positive and for the period from January 1 to April 11 this year reached a volume of 1,452,206 MWh, which is an increase of 76.33% (plus 81.88% reported a week ago). For the same period of the previous 2020 the balance (export-import) was in volume 823 580 MWh.

The participation of base plants remains in the red, but the improvement in performance is more significant. According to the data of the system operator for the period from the first day of January to the eleventh day of April this year, the share of base plants remains at minus 2.18% (minus 3.39% reported a week ago) and amounts to 10,881,885 MWh. At the same time in 2020, this share was in the range of 11,124,569 MWh.

Renewable energy sources (RES) in the transmission and distribution networks show worse indicators.

For the compared period from January 1 to April 11 of the current 2021 the share of RES in the transmission network decreased by 14.23% (minus 10.51% reported a week ago) to a volume of 382,162 MWh. A year earlier at the same time, RES participated in the transmission gap with 445,567 MWh. The worse data during the indicated period of the current year are in particular due to the decrease of wind (minus 17.09%) and photovoltaic (minus 7.77%) capacities and biomass (minus 9.11%).

The share of RES in the distribution network decreased (minus) by 9.26% (minus 7.37% reported a week ago) and for the period January 1 - April 4 this year is of the order of 535,900 MWh. During the same period in 2020, RES participated in the distribution network with a volume of about 590,604 MWh. These data are in particular due to the weak share of wind power plants (minus 18.02%) and biomass (minus 4.21%), as photovoltaic capacity reported a slight increase (plus 0.12%).

Hydropower plants (HPPs) retain a high share. According to the data of the system operator for the period from the first day of January to the eleventh day of April this year, the share of HPPs increased by 135.12% (plus 144.64% reported a week ago). For comparison, if during the indicated period last year the share of HPPs was of the order of 777,536 MWh, then this year it is already increasing to a volume of 1,828,124 MWh.