Renewable energy production continues to gain ground. Primary energy resources, slightly decreasing

The primary energy resources decreased by 0.3 percent, while those of electricity increased, as compared to the same period of previous year, by 3.9 percent during January- February period, National Institute of Statistics (INS) data show.

The main primary energy resources amounted to 5,333,900 tonnes oil equivalent (toe), decreasing by 15,400 toe as against the same period of the last year.

Domestic production amounted to 3,749,700 toe, increasing by 4.2 percent as against the same period of previous year, while imports amounted to 1,584,200 toe, decreasing by 9.5 percent.

During this period, electric energy resources amounted to 11534.1 million KWh, increasing with 433.1 million KWh (+3.9 percent) as compared to the corresponding period of 2014. The increase of the electric energy resource was mainly due to increased domestic production, with 357 million KWh (+3.2 percent). The thermal power stations production amounted to 4878.7 million KWh decreasing with 911.5 million KWh (-15.7 percent). The hydroelectric power stations production was 3175.3 million KWh increasing with 794.4 million kWh (+33.4 percent), while the one of nuclear power stations was 1991.9 million KWh decreasing with 9.9 million kWh (-0.5 percent).

The production of wind power stations during January – February period was 1201.5 million KWh, increasing with 391.1 million KWh as against the same period of previous year, while photovoltaic solar energy produced during this period was 135.1 million KWh, increasing with 92.9 million KWh as compared to the corresponding period of 2014.

The final consumption of electric energy during this period was 8385.8 million KWh, by 4.1 percent lower as against the corresponding period of 2014; public lighting increased by 20.5 percent, while population consumption increased by 5.3 percent.

The exports of electric energy amounted to 1690.7 million KWh increasing with 805.1 million KWh, respectively by 90.9 percent. The own technological consumption in networks and stations amounted to 1457.6 million KWh decreasing with 9 million KWh, respectively by 0.6 percent.