site.btaPresident Radev Discusses Digital Infrastructure Development, Renewable Energy Investments with United Group

President Rumen Radev emphasized the need to improve digital infrastructure in Bulgaria during a meeting with representatives from United Group, a leading telecommunications and media company operating in Southeast Europe, including Bulgaria, the President's Press Secretariat said on Tuesday.

Radev stated that information, its reliability, secure storage, and timely transfer are crucial for the development of Bulgarian society and the economy. During the meeting, he highlighted the potential for building large data centres and investing in cybersecurity.

Attending the meeting were United Group CEO Victoriya Boklag, Vice President Zeljko Batistic, Executive Director Compliance, Risk and Sustainability Miriam Di Traglia, Nikolai Andreev, CEO of the Bulgarian telecommunications operator Vivacom, part of United Group, Polar Explorer and environmental leader Robert Swan, who discussed United Group's plans for renewable energy investments in Bulgaria.

The participants highlighted Bulgaria’s investment advantages, such as its strategic geographic location and educated young people. Radev pointed to the potential of innovative companies already operating in Bulgaria and creating a favorable environment in communications and high technologies. They all agreed on the need for stability and predictability in the Government’s actions to attract more investments.

United Group representatives shared their plans for energy projects in Bulgaria, including three solar power plants and a wind farm project. The initial investment is EUR 120 million, and the projects are expected to be operational by 2027, providing 160% of the group's energy needs in Bulgaria and covering 65% of its total energy consumption. The importance of building energy storage infrastructure for renewable energy was also discussed.

Robert Swan shared insights from his polar expeditions and stressed the urgent need to address climate change. Radev stressed the value of polar research for understanding the past and making informed decisions for the future. He also highlighted the contributions of Bulgarian scientists at the St. Kliment Ohridski base on Livingston Island, currently involved in the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition.