Deputies of the Kyiv City Council have approved the allocation of UAH 548 million for the uninterrupted operation and energy independence of water supply and sewage systems in the capital, as well as for increasing the energy independence of these infrastructure facilities.
As reported on the website of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) on Friday, the relevant changes have been made to the economic and social development program of Kyiv for 2024-26.
The Department of Economy and Investments of the KMDA notes that due to constant hostile shelling, the power grids on which the supply and disposal of water in residential buildings, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and other infrastructure facilities depend are being damaged. Therefore, the funds will be allocated to prevent emergencies, restore and maintain the stable operation of urban water networks.
Omnichannel tech retailer Foxtrot has purchased and installed backup power supply equipment worth a total of UAH 5.565 million to ensure uninterrupted operation during 2022-2025. As of October, all stores in the chain are energy independent, the company’s press service told Interfax-Ukraine.
“For Foxtrot, investing in energy independence is a necessary step for the company’s operation and development in the context of full-scale war. This makes it possible to organize the full operation of all services and also fulfills the company’s social mission: to be a local ”point of resilience“ for Ukrainians in difficult times,” the press service noted.
During September-October 2025, Foxtrot conducted an audit of its existing resources in case of repeated blackouts: 36 stores in the chain are equipped with generators; 48 were equipped with various types of uninterruptible power supplies; 44 stores were connected to the backup power supply equipment of landlords in shopping centers/malls. All stores are equipped with powerful charging stations, UPS equipment, additional lighting powered by power banks, etc. This allows cash registers and security systems to be activated and provides sufficient lighting for service.
In September and October, one additional backup generator and six charging stations were purchased.
Thanks to innovations in IT infrastructure implemented in 2023-2024, all of Foxtrot’s core business processes — from placing an order on the website to delivering goods in stores — run on reliable digital platforms and remain stable even in the event of a power outage.
A key element in ensuring the operation of stores is the internal ecosystem and the FoxyHUB mobile application, which allows salespeople to advise customers, process purchases, and accept card payments anywhere in the store or even outside it. For convenience, various digital payment methods are available that do not depend on stationary cash registers or POS terminals: via the seller’s mobile app, LiqPay, QR code, or chatbot in Viber/Telegram. The buyer receives a fiscal receipt immediately in electronic form. In October, Foxtrot is launching tap to phone, which will allow sellers to accept card payments via the customer’s smartphone through the app.
In addition, during power outages, stores offer gadget charging stations and free Wi-Fi.
Foxtrot is one of Ukraine’s largest omnichannel retail chains in terms of the number of stores and sales of electronics and household appliances. As of early October 2025, the company operates 127 stores in 68 cities, the Foxtrot.ua online platform, and the mobile app of the same name.
According to YouControl, the revenue of FTD-Retail LLC (Kyiv), which develops the chain, amounted to UAH 14 billion 882.632 million in 2024, which is 17.6% more than in 2023, and its net profit was UAH 6 million 721 thousand against UAH 314 million 436 thousand, respectively.
The founders of the omnichannel retailer Foxtrot are Ukrainian businessmen Gennady Vykhodtsev and Valery Makovetsky.
The NOVUS supermarket chain has completed comprehensive preparations for the autumn-winter period to ensure the uninterrupted operation of its stores even in the event of prolonged power outages. The total investment in energy independence and backup solutions amounted to UAH 385 million, according to the company’s press service.
“We realize that the operation of our supermarkets is a matter of Ukrainians’ access to everyday products, even in times of crisis. Therefore, energy independence has become one of the key areas of investment for NOVUS,” the press service quotes Dainius Tumenas, Deputy CEO for Asset Management at NOVUS.
Currently, all NOVUS stores are equipped with generators of various capacities. Their total installed capacity is 33.72 MW, which makes it possible to maintain the network’s operation even during periods of prolonged power outages. The total investment in energy efficiency and energy independence since the start of the full-scale war has reached UAH 385 million, of which UAH 272 million has been allocated to generators.
As noted, one of the breakthrough solutions for Ukrainian retail has been gas generators, which are more environmentally friendly than diesel generators and capable of simultaneously producing electricity, heat, and industrial cooling. The company has installed four units with a total capacity of 3 MW at two of its facilities.
“Gas generators help us remain stable in critical conditions and at the same time move us towards environmental friendliness and energy efficiency,” Tumenas emphasizes.
NOVUS has also formed a strategic reserve of diesel fuel – 168 tons (calculated for six days of autonomous operation of the entire network). In addition, a system of continuous fuel supplies has been established, which allows for a quick response to crisis situations.
At the same time, the company is developing renewable energy. Pilot projects in Novi Petrivtsi (Kyiv region) and at the logistics center have proven the effectiveness of solar panels: in the summer, they covered up to 65% of the supermarket’s energy needs. By the end of 2025, 15 NOVUS facilities will be operating on their own solar power generation with a total capacity of 3.34 MW. The total investment in this area is UAH 78.6 million.
“The future of retail lies in renewable energy sources. This is not only economically beneficial in the long term, but also provides an opportunity to build a more sustainable and responsible business,” explains Tumenas.
To improve energy efficiency in stores, a Building Management System (BMS) is being implemented, which allows remote control of lighting, ventilation, power supply, and other key processes.
An important step in reducing the carbon footprint was the purchase of the first corporate electric vehicles in 2025.
The chain also emphasizes that in the event of power outages, stores remain open not only for shopping but also as a support space where you can recharge your gadgets, warm up, and buy fresh produce.
The Novus supermarket chain is developed by BT Invest (Lithuania), a company founded in 2008 by former Sandora shareholders Raimondas Tumenas and the late Igor Bezzub.
The company is represented in the capital region, Ternopil, and Rivne. As of October 25, the chain has 141 locations (88 Novus, 51 Mi Market neighborhood stores, and two Khapayka discount stores).
According to YouControl, as of October 2025, the owner of Novus Ukraine with a 100% stake in the authorized capital was Consul Trade House CJSC (Vilnius, Lithuania). The ultimate beneficiaries are listed as Marina Poznyakova, Agne Ruzgiene, and Raimondas Tumenas.
According to the company’s financial results, at the end of the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year, its revenue increased by 21.5% to UAH 16 billion 293.739 million, The company received a net profit of 87.477 million compared to a net profit of 409 million 041 thousand UAH for the first half of 2024.
JSC “OTP BANK” offers Ukrainian enterprises a number of loan programs that will allow them to become energy independent and ensure uninterrupted business operation in the face of electricity shortages. This was stated by Valeriy Terno, Head of Sales to Medium Corporate Clients at OTP Bank, during a roundtable discussion on energy independence organized by the Financial Club.
“The bank has set itself the goal of stimulating the development of the market for energy-independent solutions and providing support to businesses in financing such projects. We prepare optimal offers and favorable conditions for each client. We are talking about low interest rates and the possibility of implementing them under government programs, as well as cashback, and with additional guarantees from the state, the EBRD, and other institutional investors, we will be able to further expand the decision-making criteria for implementing certain projects. We already have successful cases in this direction,” said Mr. Terno.
In particular, small and medium-sized businesses can count on financial support from OTP Bank under the program “Affordable Loans 5-7-9%”, which is being implemented by the government at the initiative of the President of Ukraine through the Entrepreneurship Development Fund.
Also, the joint program with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development allows us to offer investment loans to SMEs with the possibility of compensating part of the costs financed by the Bank’s credit funds. This loan can be used for long-term investments in green technologies (energy-efficient equipment, solar panels for power plants to meet their own needs) that meet European Union standards and will help increase the competitiveness of enterprises in domestic and foreign markets. After the implementation of the projects, customers will be able to apply for investment incentives (cash compensation, cashback).
“By installing solar panels or other elements, including gas turbine or gas piston stations, entrepreneurs will be able not only to ensure their own energy independence but also to sell the remaining energy produced to the grid, thereby contributing to the country’s energy security,” added the Head of Sales to Medium Corporate Clients at OTP Bank.
Following the attacks on the energy infrastructure in March and April, Vodafone has decided to double its planned investments in energy independence this year. Following this decision, the company plans to purchase additional generating capacity and autonomous power supply systems worth UAH 438 million. Total investments in the network’s energy resilience in 2022-2024 will exceed UAH 674 million.
Vodafone is investing in new types of batteries for its communication facilities. To improve reliability and extend the autonomous power supply time of its base stations, the company has already purchased 13.5 thousand batteries of a new lithium-ferrous type (LiFePO4). Such batteries are much better adapted to harsh operating conditions with frequent and prolonged power outages. Vodafone plans to purchase an additional 4,612 such batteries in 2024.
In addition, Vodafone will increase its generating capacity. More than 1.5 thousand base stations are already powered by generator sets, including the company’s own stationary and mobile generators, as well as generator sets of partners and customers. During the war alone, the company purchased about 500 mobile generators and the auxiliary equipment necessary for their operation. In 2024, the number of generating equipment of various types will increase by another 280 units.
Today, more than 700 partner generators ensure the network’s operation during outages, and this number is constantly growing. Vodafone is open for further cooperation – companies that have a diesel generator set and are ready to share its capacity to provide communication for their company and other subscribers within the base station coverage area can send a letter to no_blackout@vodafone.ua. Vodafone experts will be happy to discuss the details of possible cooperation.
During previous emergency outages, the company has already used more than 1,094 tons of diesel and gasoline. Vodafone’s power engineers have also ensured sufficient diesel and gasoline reserves to generate electricity to keep the grid running during the blackouts. To minimize the risks of a shortage of certain types of fuel and diversify fuel supplies, including on a regional basis, the company has increased the number of wholesale fuel suppliers with whom it has signed contracts and made significant fuel reserves.
Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest Internet provider by subscribers, continues to secure its Home Internet service in case of power outages. In 2023, the company invested more than UAH 200 million to provide uninterruptible power supplies for Home Internet. It will invest an additional UAH 50-70 million by the end of February 2024. The provider also continues to actively launch GPON Internet in different cities of Ukraine.
Kyivstar employees started connecting the Home Internet network to uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in October 2022 and will continue to do so to provide 700 thousand subscribers with Internet access even in the event of a power outage. This modernization will allow the Home Internet network to operate in the absence of power for up to 5 hours.
In total, the service users will be provided with equipment for uninterrupted operation in 44 cities of Ukraine. In total, the provider plans to cover more than 22.3 thousand addresses where UPS will be installed. 180 specialists are involved in the process of installing, checking and testing equipment throughout Ukraine.
Kyivstar also started connecting the Internet using GPON technology at the end of 2023. In 2024, the company plans to partially modernize and replace existing technologies with GPON in some cities. This connection technology is more energy efficient.
“In the context of short- and medium-term outages, GPON can provide consumers with Internet access for longer, including because we build lines from base stations with mobile diesel generators. And as long as we have the human resources and the ability to supply fuel and components to keep the generator running at the base station, users connected via GPON technology will have the Internet signal,” commented Sergiy Sukhoruk, Head of Fixed Line Communications.
About Kyivstar
Kyivstar is Ukraine’s largest electronic communications operator, serving more than 24 million mobile subscribers and more than 1.1 million Home Internet subscribers as of September 2023. The company provides services using a wide range of mobile and fixed technologies, including 4G, Big Data, Cloud solutions, cybersecurity services, digital TV, etc. Kyivstar helps subscribers, society and the country to overcome the challenges of wartime. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the company has allocated more than UAH 1.4 billion in aid for the humanitarian needs of the Armed Forces, society and subscribers. Kyivstar’s sole shareholder is the international VEON Group (headquartered in the Netherlands). The Group’s shares are listed on NASDAQ (New York) and Euronext (Amsterdam). Kyivstar has been operating in Ukraine for 25 years and is recognized as the largest taxpayer in the telecom market, the best employer and a socially responsible company.
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, GPON, Home Internet, INVESTMENTS, KYIVSTAR
