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Bulgaria

Heat is 40% of the energy Bulgaria uses.

Bulgaria is a high-income country in Europe and Central Asia with 6.4 million people, most of them living in cities. Heat makes up 40% of the energy it uses, below the world average of about 47%.

Wood and other biomass is the largest source of heat (33%), followed by natural gas (27%). In total, 61% of the heat comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity, apart from household heating, makes up 21% of energy use and is generated largely from nuclear power (40%).

The country

Population6.4 million2025
GDP per capitaUS$ 20,3002025
Area111,000 km²2024
Urban population74%2025
Access to electricity100%2024
Access to clean cooking98%2024
Final energy use110 TWh2023

Where the energy goes

Final energy use in Bulgaria, 2023: 110 TWh.
Heat: 40%40%Electricity: 21%21%Transport: 39%39%
  • Heat40%
  • Electricity21%
  • Transport39%

Heat in five numbers

Heatshare of all final energy use40%
Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas61%
Biomass and wastethe largest single source of heat33%
Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport and household heating21%
Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas35%

Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture, plus the electricity households use for heating, hot water and cooking. Electricity that becomes heat in offices and industry is counted as electricity, so the true heat share is somewhat higher. Fossil heat and the largest source are shares of the fuel and district heating part.

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