Amsterdam-based Veon Group announced it will install more energy infrastructure for its Ukrainian unit Kyivstar to battle against extended blackouts caused by attacks on national energy infrastructure.
Veon detailed in a statement, it will deploy an additional 848 industrial generators and 61,766 batteries. Energy resiliency had been a major focus from Kyivstar to maintain crucial communication services and protect digital operations.
The Ukrainian operator previously deployed 2,322 generators and 115,000 four-hour duration batteries at base stations to provide backup power during blackouts.
Oleksandr Komarov, Kyivstar CEO, said: "Energy resilience and preparedness against blackouts have been at the centre of our investment priorities since the end of 2022.
“Consistent and significant investment of over USD$24 million over the last two years has helped us improve energy resilience. However, the changing nature of threats to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and extended blackouts now necessitate a reinforcement in our strategy.
“This second wave of focus on energy resilience will enable Kyivstar to support critical connectivity with even further resources dedicated to energy resilience”.
Veon pledged to invest over US$1 billion into Ukraine over the next five years despite the war with Russia.
