Bulgaria’s new energy strategy until 2053 is based on the continuation of coal-fired power plants until 2030, on nuclear power, several projects in the fields of photovoltaic and wind energy, the use of geothermal energy for local heating systems and batteries for electricity storage.

This strategy was launched on Tuesday for discussion at a round table organized in Sofia, with the participation of President Rumen Radev, Prime Minister Galab Donev and Energy Minister Rosen Hristov, reports Agerpres with reference to the Bulgarian news agency BTA.

Among the strategic goals of the development of the energy sector, specified in the document, are ensuring the energy security of the country and the region and maintaining Bulgaria’s role as a leader in energy, protecting national security and economic interests, and achieving the goals of decarbonization. at the EU level, improving energy efficiency, implementing a just transition in affected regions and protecting against energy poverty.

In the sector of coal-fired electricity generation, the strategy envisages the use of existing capacities until 2030 to ensure energy security and the implementation of technical solutions to reduce emissions.

Construction of new nuclear facilities

In the nuclear energy sector, the strategy envisages the construction of new capacities of 2,000 MW at the Belene NPP by 2035-2040, as well as the construction of replacement capacities of 2,000 MW at the Kozloduy NPP by 2045.

It is also planned to build 7 GW of photovoltaic capacity and 2 GW of wind capacity by 2030 and 12 GW of photovoltaic capacity and 4 GW of wind capacity by 2050. New hydropower projects with a capacity of 870 MW are planned by 2030 and 1,270 MW. by 2050. In the field of geothermal energy, access is based on the efficiency of local heat supply systems. In addition, the strategy envisages the construction of electrolysis plants with a capacity of 1 GW by 2030 and 5 GW by 2050 for domestic consumption and export.

In the field of energy storage, the strategy envisages the expansion of the Chaira HPP by 2030 and the construction of new HPPs with a capacity of 1 GW by 2035, the introduction of hydro-accumulating capacities. in 600 MW of batteries by 2030 and 1.5 GW of seasonal storage systems by 2050. The strategy also provides for the modernization and construction of new power transmission lines with a length of 1,900 kilometers, the digitalization and development of the distribution network, and the construction of 1,000 charging stations for electric vehicles by 2030.

The document also provides for measures to overcome energy poverty and increase the energy efficiency of households.