Valery Drenikov, Chair of the Association of Energy Traders in Bulgaria, took part in the roundtable discussion on “Increasing the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy through the development of wind energy,” organized by the Bulgarian Wind Energy Association (BGWEA). The event brought together representatives of institutions, business, and the financial sector.

During the discussion, key data were presented on the role of renewable sources in the country. According to information from the Electricity System Operator, in 2025 around 30% of Bulgaria’s energy consumption was supplied by renewables, said Miglena Stoilova, Chair of BGWEA. She added that installed renewable capacity is around 5 GW, while battery storage capacity is about 1.1 GW, with expectations that it will reach 3 GW by the end of the year. Wind energy’s share in electricity generation in Bulgaria is about 3.3%, compared with an EU average of around 20%.

Valery Drenikov emphasized that wind energy is “part of the puzzle” of the energy mix. He outlined market trends: after the boom in photovoltaics in recent years and increased investments in energy storage, energy traders expect the next strong investment cycle to be in wind energy.

According to him, having wind capacity in traders’ portfolios increases the predictability of electricity price levels. Drenikov also highlighted another important benefit for the market: wind energy offers a real opportunity for long-term contracts and broader options for price fixing – key tools for risk management and for creating a more stable environment for business.

Participants in the roundtable agreed that accelerating investments in wind energy and implementing new projects in the short term should be seen as crucial for a more balanced energy mix and higher competitiveness.