United Group enters green energy production with initial investment of 120 million euros in Bulgaria

United Group, the leading telecommunications and media group in Southeast Europe, has taken a giant step into green energy production with an initial investment of 120 million euros in Bulgaria. This bold initiative marks the beginning of a new era of sustainable development, strengthening the company's position as an industry leader driving innovation and climate action.

Boosting the green energy revolution

United Group's investment will create three photovoltaic power plants and one wind farm in Bulgaria. From 2027, these projects will provide 160% of the Group’s electricity needs in Bulgaria and will meet 65% of the Group’s total electricity consumption, eliminating approximately 120,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the Bulgarian electricity grid each year. Together, the projects will have a total installed capacity of 124 MW and an annual production of 310,000 MWh – enough to power over 60,000 households each year. In addition, the initiative includes a state-of-the-art battery system capable of storing 1.5 times the peak energy.

This bold step is a testament to United Group’s commitment to accelerating Bulgaria’s transition to clean energy, thus paving the way for a more sustainable future across Southeastern Europe.

President Rumen Radev invited United Group CEO Victoria Boklag, company representatives and Sir Robert Swan, a polar explorer, to a special meeting, where they discussed the importance of developing energy projects for the production of energy from renewable sources in our country. During the meeting, the head of state also emphasized the need to improve the digital infrastructure in our country, the prospects for the construction of large data centers, as well as investments in the field of cybersecurity.

Grozdan Karadjov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications: “Over the past 20 years, the share of green energy in the total mix of the European Union has tripled. Bulgaria is following this trend, but the share of renewable sources is still below a quarter of final energy consumption. Therefore, investments in this area are important for the sustainable development of the Bulgarian economy.”

Commitment to Sustainability

Victoria Boklag, CEO of United Group, shared her vision for this important event: “This investment is more than just a business decision – it is a promise to future generations. By harnessing the power of the sun and wind, we are not just powering our operations, we are driving change. United Group is proud to be taking a leading role in green energy production. Together, we are building a brighter, greener future for Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe.”

Building a tradition of innovation

United Group has been a driver of progress in Bulgaria since its entry in 2020, investing 2.5 billion in cutting-edge technologies, including the country’s first 10 CIGA fiber optic network, the first 5G commercial network, which is currently the largest in the country, as well as the first unlimited 5G mobile plans. This renewable energy initiative is a natural extension of the Group’s commitment to creating significant impact, combining cutting-edge technical achievements and environmental responsibility.

The first solar power plant – near Stara Zagora – has already been put into operation. Two more solar parks will be built near Kyustendil and Vidin. The wind farm, located in northeastern Bulgaria, will set new standards for innovation and efficiency in the region. All projects have been strategically designed to minimize environmental impact, using existing industrial sites and integrating advanced energy storage systems.

A vision for a sustainable future

This investment confirms United Group’s role as a catalyst for change in line with the EU’s climate goals and contributes to the green energy transformation in Bulgaria. The company’s ultimate goal is to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040 – a commitment that demonstrates its leadership in sustainability.

A transformative investment for Bulgaria

Nikolay Andreev, CEO of Vivacom, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “United Group’s investment is a transformative moment for Bulgaria. It strengthens energy sustainability, stimulates economic growth and firmly positions Bulgaria as a leader in renewable energy. We are excited to see how this project will impact our country and region.”