site.btaPublic Hearing Held on Bulgaria’s 10-Year Grid Plan

A public hearing on the ten-year Electricity Transmission Network Development Plan of Bulgaria for the Period 2025-2034, submitted by the state-owned Electricity System Operator (ESO), was held Wednesday at the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) building with representatives from ESO, Electrodistribution Grid West EAD, Electrodistribution North AD, Elektrorazpredelenie Yug [Electrodistribution South] EAD and the National Electric Company (NEK) EAD.

Deputy Director of ESO's Central Dispatching Unit Ivan Stoyanov, outlined the key points of the proposed plan, including detailed financial, economic, and technical objectives aligned with the European regulatory framework, regional plans of neighbouring countries under EU regulations, transmission network development strategies, and cross-border interconnection plans by year. It also features generation forecasts, alternative, maximum and minimum scenarios, as well as year-by-year financial projections. The plan provides information on power lines, upgrades from 220 kV to 400 kV, and joint projects with neighbouring transmission operators.

Representatives of the electricity distribution companies gave feedback on the section concerning the development of the internal power grid, calling for the inclusion of their specific requests in the plan.

EWRC session chairperson Tasko Ermenkov concluded the hearing by urging harmony between transmission and distribution networks to ensure user satisfaction. He emphasized the need for synchronized development of Bulgaria’s domestic and international energy commitments.

Interested parties have a 14-day period to submit their written opinions on ESO’s proposed plan.

Tasko Ermenkov scheduled a closed session of the Commission for August 27, 2025.