United Group strengthens its environmental transition with a €120 million commitment to green energy

As the world accelerates towards a digital future, the environmental cost of connectivity is coming to the fore. A new report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), entitled Greening Digital Companies 2025, shows that digital companies' progress towards carbon neutrality is being systematically monitored. Almost half of the 200 companies surveyed have committed to achieving net zero emissions – 41 of them have set 2050 as their target year, and 51 even earlier – demonstrating strong progress in the use of renewable energy and climate transparency.

Key findings from the report:

• Renewable energy use: 23 companies operated entirely on 100% renewable energy in 2023, up from 16 in 2022, highlighting the telecommunications sector's efforts to integrate clean energy;
• Climate reporting: 49 companies published standalone climate reports, reflecting increased reporting;
• Scope 3 awareness: The number of companies disclosing indirect emissions targets has risen sharply from 73 to 110.

One company taking bold steps to address this challenge is United Group, the parent company of Vivacom. In January 2025, United Group announced a €120 million investment in renewable energy production. The Group's ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 is a decade ahead of the EU target and in line with the leading practices identified in the ITU report.

The digital revolution comes at a price: energy consumption. Telecommunications networks and data centers are energy-intensive. Renewable energy is no longer just an option – it is a necessity," said United Group CEO Victoria Boklag.

The solar power plant near the village of Mogila, which went into operation in September 2024, is an example of this approach. In just eight months, the 3-megawatt plant has produced 2,285 MWh, helping the company reduce nearly 1,100 tons of carbon emissions – demonstrating the real benefits of clean energy in powering network infrastructure.

United Group has a total of four renewable energy projects in development:

• An 8 MW solar power plant near Blagoevgrad, in the final stage of construction;
• A 41 MW solar power plant near Vidin, under construction since May 2025;
• A 72 MW wind farm near Dobrich, scheduled to be commissioned by March 2027;
• A 74 MWh battery storage facility designed to optimize energy consumption during peak loads.

Once fully operational, these facilities will generate 310,000 MWh of clean electricity per year. According to Zeljko Batistich, Vice President of Technology at United Group, 170,000 MWh will be used directly to power the Group's operations in Bulgaria, offsetting 65% of its total annual electricity consumption and eliminating approximately 120,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity grid in Bulgaria.

This proactive approach is in line with another trend identified in the ITU report: increasing transparency in climate policies.

United Group's initiative shows how the telecommunications sector can be a leader in the transition to clean energy, especially in regions such as Southeast Europe, where aging fossil fuel-based networks and economic challenges pose additional difficulties. By building its own renewable energy sources, the Group is not only reducing its electricity bills – it is ensuring the sustainability of its infrastructure, strengthening energy resilience at the local level, and setting an example for the entire industry.

The aim is to drive the next wave of digital achievements, from artificial intelligence to electric vehicles. It's about supporting the EU's climate goals and promoting economic growth," said Boeklag.

"The future of renewable energy is being determined today – through rapid innovation, stable policies, and growing global demand for clean energy. To accelerate this transition, we need practical and investor-friendly solutions that address key challenges: managing the dominance of solar energy, overcoming barriers to wind energy, harnessing the boom in energy storage, and integrating AI, data centers, industry, and smart grids with clean energy systems. Strengthening the resilience of the power grid through decentralized and distributed solutions is also essential," adds Ante Smokrovic, who was recently appointed CEO of United Group's Energy Division.

As the ITU Greening Digital Companies 2025 report shows, the path to net-zero emissions in the digital sector is long and complex. But with strategic investments and clear accountability, companies such as United Group are proving that this path is not only necessary—it is achievable.

Translated with DeepL.