Natural gas consumption in Bulgaria in 2021 was 35,430 GWh, which shows 13.06% increase compared to consumption in 2020 (31,337 GWh). According to data of NSI Overall Energy Balance for 2020, natural gas had a share of 14.1% in primary energy consumption and 13.7% in final consumption of fuels and energy. The natural gas share in the country’s energy balance continues to be lower compared the average values of the EU counties but it has a potential for a significant and steady growth considering the evolving gasification and the natural gas role as a transition fuel for a low carbon economy.
In 2020 and 2021, natural gas quantities by sources of supply were as follows:
The cross-border physical transport of natural gas quantities in 2021 amounts to 101.78 TWh or 2.5 times more compared to 2020 (38.14 TWh). The transported quantities meet 100% of the consumption in North Macedonia and significant part of the consumption in Greece and Serbia.
In the next years, the transported quantities are expected to increase and exceed the levels from 2020/2021 with the implementation of the new projects to Serbia and other priority projects in the region. Cross-border transport through the territory of Bulgaria for the period 2012-2021 is shown in the diagram below:
The following projects, which are part of the Gas Hub Balkan Concept, will be key for the market integration and enabling the transport of additional natural gas quantities to and through Bulgaria:
- The interconnections with Greece and Serbia;
- Expansion of Chiren UGS capacity;
- The LNG terminal near Alexandroupolis.
The implementation of these projects is interrelated and will contribute to the realization of the Concept for a Gas Hub in Bulgaria, as well as the development of the single European gas network.
Source: Bulgartransgaz
