March 2026 marked a notable uptick in trading on the day-ahead market of the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX), with total electricity transactions reaching 2,823,293.9 MWh. This figure represents a 5% increase compared to February, and the average daily traded volume climbed to 91,074 MWh. Year-over-year analysis reveals an impressive 18% rise from March 2025, underscoring enhanced market liquidity and participant engagement.
Price dynamics during this period exhibited mixed trends. The average baseload price on the day-ahead market rose to 103.54 euros/MWh, reflecting a 4% increase from February’s rate of 99.57 euros/MWh. Conversely, the average peak price experienced a significant decline of 20%, settling at 83.07 euros/MWh. This divergence in pricing could indicate either a reduction in demand during peak hours or an improvement in supply capabilities.
The number of registered market participants also saw growth, rising to 153, which is an increase of three compared to the previous month. This development further highlights the expanding interest and participation in the Bulgarian power market.
In contrast to the day-ahead market, trading activity on the intraday continuous market surged even more dramatically, with a total of 754,579.6 MWh traded—an impressive 37% increase from February levels. Despite this boost in volume, the average weighted price decreased by 4.7%, reaching 88.19 euros/MWh. This decline may reflect greater short-term supply flexibility and improved balancing mechanisms within the market.
The developments in March signal a robust engagement within Bulgaria’s energy sector, characterized by increased trading volumes and evolving price structures. As the market continues to adapt to changing demand and supply dynamics, these trends will be critical for stakeholders navigating the complexities of power trading in Southeast Europe.
