Bulgaria is taking bold steps toward a greener energy future, having recently wrapped up its most ambitious energy storage tender to date. With nearly 10 GWh of standalone energy storage capacity awarded—more than triple the initial target—the country is making significant headway in reinforcing grid stability and accelerating the integration of renewables.
A Strategic Leap for Bulgaria’s Energy Sector
Under the RESTORE initiative, launched through Bulgaria’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the Ministry of Energy has selected 82 projects that will collectively receive BGN 1.15 billion (approximately $675 million) in public funding. This investment aims to expand the country’s energy infrastructure and support the growing share of intermittent renewable power, particularly from solar and wind.
The original tender aimed to procure 3 GWh of usable capacity, but the overwhelming market response prompted the government to scale up its ambitions. In total, 151 proposals were submitted by the December 2024 deadline, with requested funding far exceeding the available budget—nearly BGN 5 billion in total proposed investments.
Nationwide Deployment by 2026
The selected storage systems will be geographically distributed across Bulgaria and connected either to the national transmission grid or local distribution networks. All awarded projects must be operational by March 2026.
To qualify, projects had to deliver a minimum of 10 MW with at least two hours of storage duration, aligning with the country’s goal of enhancing frequency regulation capabilities and grid reliability. Grant funding is capped at BGN 148.6 million per project, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, and limited to BGN 371,607.70 per MWh of usable capacity (excluding VAT).
Building Foundations for a Renewable Future
This tender marks a significant milestone in Bulgaria’s broader decarbonization agenda. The country has pledged to retire coal-fired power plants by 2038 and install an additional 3 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. At the close of 2024, Bulgaria’s solar PV capacity had already reached 3.91 GW—an annual increase of over 1 GW.
These developments come on the heels of Bulgaria’s first renewable energy auction held in late 2024, where more than 3 GW of generation and 1.176 GW of storage capacity were secured. Taken together, these efforts underscore a clear national commitment: reduce dependency on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and build a future-ready energy system.
Why It Matters for Europe
Bulgaria remains one of Europe’s most emissions-intensive economies, with its greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP nearly double the EU average, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). However, with projects like RESTORE, the country is setting a precedent for how EU-backed funding and national policy can converge to unlock private sector participation and drive meaningful progress in energy transition.
As Europe races toward climate neutrality, Bulgaria’s surge in storage capacity signals a shift not only in national priorities but also in regional energy dynamics. The integration of nearly 10 GWh of storage will play a crucial role in balancing the grid, stabilizing renewable output, and ensuring that clean energy is both reliable and accessible.
