Bulgaria: The Balkans' Energy Powerhouse?

Bulgaria has significantly boosted its energy storage capabilities, earning the moniker "Battery of the Balkans." Thanks to €700 million in European Union grants, the country has doubled its battery capacity in the past year, now standing at approximately 6 gigawatts. This expansion allows for efficient storage of daytime solar energy, which is then released during peak evening hours.

This development has directly translated into a substantial increase in power exports. Figures from the Association for Production, Storage and Trading of Electricity (APSTE) show a 62% rise in electricity exports this year compared to the previous one. These exports have been crucial in supplying neighboring nations, such as Romania, which faced challenges due to a nuclear reactor shutdown and reduced hydropower availability during summer heatwaves.

In contrast, Greece, despite its ample sunshine, is lagging in battery storage development. While its solar capacity has grown substantially, its battery storage capacity is considerably smaller, expected to reach only one gigawatt by the end of 2026. This has led Greece to depend on imported gas to meet its peak evening electricity demand, highlighting Bulgaria's success in energy management.