/SOFIA, BULGARIA, January 8, 2026, 14:00 CET, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH™/
Bulgaria has made significant progress in modernising its energy sector by officially commissioning one of the largest standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Eastern Europe, as announced by the Ministry of Energy (ME). This state-of-the-art facility is strategically positioned within the Maritsa East 3 Thermal Power Plant complex, tapping into the established electricity infrastructure of the Stara Zagora region. The BESS aims to enhance grid stability, improve energy efficiency, and integrate renewable energy sources, representing a crucial step towards achieving Bulgaria’s energy diversification and sustainability goals. By investing in advanced storage technology, Bulgaria is poised to meet the increasing demand for reliable power while reducing its carbon footprint and promoting a greener energy landscape.
The ContourGlobal Maritsa Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is among the largest and most technologically advanced battery storage facilities in Bulgaria and the surrounding region. With a formidable power output of 202 megawatts (MW) and an impressive capacity of 500 megawatt-hours (MWh), this project is designed to enhance the stability and efficiency of the national electricity grid.
Currently, the ContourGlobal Maritsa BESS is active in the national electricity market, participating in both the Day Ahead and Intraday markets of the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange. By doing so, the facility plays a crucial role in balancing supply and demand in real-time, thereby contributing to the overall flexibility and security of the Bulgarian electricity system. Its advanced technology not only aids in integrating renewable energy sources but also enhances the reliability of the power supply to consumers across the country. Through its operations, the Maritsa BESS demonstrates a commitment to advancing energy sustainability and innovation in the region.
“The commissioning of this independent energy storage system guarantees Bulgaria’s energy security. The project is a striking example of how, with state support, innovation and modern technologies can be successfully combined with existing industrial infrastructure to achieve a stable and reliable network,” said the Energy Minister in resignation Zhecho Stankov, quoted in the statement. According to him, Bulgaria is sending a clear signal that it is a guarantor of energy security in Southeast Europe, while at the same time creating a sustainable perspective for the development of traditional energy complexes such as Maritsa East.
Stankov recalled that a year ago, Bulgaria made a clear commitment to establish itself as a balancing power in the Balkans – a role that has already proven itself in practice by helping neighbouring countries. “Bulgaria is a leader in innovation and balancing the electricity system in Southeast Europe. In the past year alone, with the introduction of battery technologies, we have achieved a storage capacity comparable to that of the Chaira pumped storage plant – nearly 5,000 MWh. The capacity is expected to reach at least 15,000 MWh by mid-year. This means more secure supplies, better integration of renewable sources, and lower prices not only for Bulgaria but also for the entire Southeast European region,” Stankov said.
ContourGlobal’s CEO, Antonio Camisecra, highlighted the vital contributions of Bulgaria and local teams to the successful implementation of the project within an unprecedented timeframe. He noted that retrained employees from the coal-fired power plant were a significant factor in this success.
The ContourGlobal Maritsa Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project is financially supported by the European Union through the NextGeneration EU initiative, as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. This energy storage facility spans 25,000 square meters and incorporates advanced technological solutions, featuring 110 battery storage containers, along with 28 combined power conversion systems (PCS) and low-voltage to medium-voltage (LV/MV) transformers. These components work together to ensure seamless integration into the existing power grid. With the launch of the ContourGlobal Maritsa BESS, Bulgaria is making significant progress toward developing a more secure, flexible, and sustainable energy infrastructure. This project positions the country as a regional frontrunner in the adoption of innovative energy technologies.
The Bulgarian solar power market has been experiencing significant growth since 2021. As a result of the high economic growth in the last 3 years, industrialisation and urbanisation, the demand for new energy generation sources to replace the coal-based power plants in Bulgaria is increasing. By the end of 2024, Bulgaria had a cumulative installed solar capacity of 4,568 MW (4.57 GW), representing an increase of 1,283 MW (1.28 GW) compared to 2023.
For the first half of 2025, almost 450 MW (0.45 GW) of new solar power capacity has been installed in the country, and the cumulative capacity is currently close to 5,000 MW (5 GW).
In 2023, for the first time, Bulgaria joined the group of European countries that installed more than 1 GW of new capacity in a single year. Several large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with a power capacity above 100 MW were launched into commercial operation in Bulgaria between 2021 and 2024. The utility-scale sector dominates the installed solar capacity, with a share of 77%.
The battery energy storage system (BESS) market in Bulgaria will experience robust growth by 2030 in the co-located/behind-the-meter (BTM) and front-of-the-meter (FTM) segments. Together with the already approved at the end of April 2025, 82 projects for the construction of batteries for the storage of electricity under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan for nearly BGN 1.2 billion (€ 600 million), awaiting the signing of contracts, and 30 reserve projects for which additional money is still being sought through the new chapter of the plan – RePowerEU, Bulgaria intends to become a balancing force in the region.
By the end of 2028, Bulgaria is expected to install between 17 GWh and 25 GWh of new battery energy storage systems, according to the Central East and South East Europe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Market Outlook 2025 ÷ 2034.
For more information and answers to your questions about the Bulgarian solar and storage power market and related content, you may read here: Bulgaria Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market Outlook 2025 ÷ 2034
For a better understanding of the benefits of using our reports, you may read here: Benefit List – Reports of Renewable Market Watch – 2025
Image Credit: Bulgarian Ministry of Energy
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