Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov

Image: Ministry of Energy

The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy has announced the selection of 82 standalone energy storage projects to receive financial support totaling BGN 1.15 billion (€588 million / US$670 million) under the EU-backed procurement scheme, RESTORE.

The funding will support the construction and commissioning of the selected projects, which together will add a total of 9,712.89 MWh of usable energy storage capacity across the country. The financial aid will cover up to 50% of eligible costs for each project.

The program marks a significant step in Bulgaria’s transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. The combined storage capacity awarded is more than three times the original tender target of 3 GWh, underscoring the strong response from the renewable energy sector.

The call for proposals closed on December 5, 2024. In total, the Ministry received 151 project submissions with a combined value of nearly BGN 5 billion—almost five times the allocated funding. The final selection of 82 projects was announced on April 17, 2025.

This initiative is part of Bulgaria’s broader efforts to enhance energy security, integrate more renewable sources, and align with EU climate targets through strategic energy infrastructure investments.