The share taken by photovoltaic plants in the electricity transmission network in Bulgaria increased by 115.01% between January 1 and May 19, 2024, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data published on Tuesday by the system operator in Bulgaria on its website, BTA informs.

According to the data, from the beginning of the year until May 19, the share of photovoltaic energy in the electricity transmission network was 739,248 Megawatt hours, while in the same period last year it was 343,814 MWh. In the same period, the share of all renewable energy sources in the transport network increased by 44.53%, according to Agerpres.

Also, the share of renewable energy sources in the electricity distribution network increased by 27.18% in 2024. The data shows that 1.105 million MWh of electricity from renewable sources were introduced into the distribution network from the beginning of the year to on May 19, increasing from 869,458 MWh in the same period last year. The degree of participation of photovoltaic plants in the distribution network increased by 55.06% during the analyzed period.

Electricity production in Bulgaria decreased by 11.41% between January 1 and May 19, 2024, compared to the same period last year. This year, 14.874 million MWh were produced, compared to 16.790 million MWh in the same period last year.

Also, in the period January 1-May 19, 2024, electricity consumption in Bulgaria decreased by 4.51% compared to the same period in 2023. In the mentioned period, 14.616 million MWh were consumed in Bulgaria, compared to 15.307 million MWh in the period January 1-May 19, 2023.

The energy balance (export-import) decreased by 82.61% in the comparison period, the data of the system operator also show. Between January 1 and May 19, 2024, the energy balance was 257,964 MWh, while in the same period last year it was 1.483 million MWh.

The share of basic power plants in Bulgaria’s energy balance decreased by 18.99% between January 1 and May 19, 2024, compared to the same period last year. Basic power plants generated 11.309 million MWh of electricity in the period January 1-May 19, 2024, compared to 13.961 million MWh in the same period last year.

The system operator’s data also show that there was a 13.67% increase in the electricity generated by hydropower plants between January 1 and May 19, 2024, compared to the same period last year.