Bulgaria produced 3,057 GWh of electricity in May 2026, down versus April but up versus the same month a year earlier. Generation increased 18.3% year on year, while the monthly comparison shows pronounced swings linked to weather, renewable output and seasonal consumption patterns.
On a month-on-month basis, electricity production fell 18.7%. Consumption declined 7.7% to 2,554 GWh, reflecting the shift from winter and early spring demand into milder conditions when heating needs ease and solar generation affects conventional plant dispatch.
May 2026 power balance and cross-border supply
In May 2026, consumption rose by 6.1% compared with May 2025, while generation grew faster at 18.3%. The resulting divergence points to a larger surplus available for export.
Bulgaria’s export position is reflected in its role as a supplier to Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. The figures also align with periods when nuclear constraints or renewable shortfalls tighten supply further north.
Natural gas use and domestic production
Natural gas consumption in May 2026 reached 217mn cubic metres. That was down 12.1% from April but up 20.6% from May 2025.
Domestic gas production remained negligible at less than 0.5mn cubic metres. With production at that level, Bulgaria’s gas supply remains reliant on imports.
Oil products and solid-fuel output changes
Oil-product data showed mixed movements across fuels. Unleaded petrol production fell 0.8% to 127,000 tonnes, while petrol consumption increased 7.4% to 58,000 tonnes.
Diesel production rose 2.8% to 253,000 tonnes, but diesel consumption increased sharply by 41.3% to 236,000 tonnes. Liquefied petroleum gas consumption grew by 14.3% to 32,000 tonnes, while domestic LPG production was unchanged at 7,000 tonnes.
