Actual problems of innovative economy and law

Journal "Actual problems of innovative economy and law" is included in category B for specialties: in the field of knowledge "Management and administration": 073, 076 (order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 23.08.2023 No. 1035) and 071, 072, 075 (order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 12.20.2023 No. 1543); in the field of knowledge "Social and behavioral sciences" 051 (order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated August 23, 2023 No. 1035); in the field of knowledge "Law" - 081 and "Public management and administration" - 281 (order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 12.20.2023 No. 1543).
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Implementation of innovative measures at gas distribution enterprises in ukraine: risks, regulatory barriers, and a conceptual model

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УДК: 622.691.4:330.341.1

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-1-39

Nahirska Kateryna,
PhD in Economics, associate professor, associate professor of the Department of Accounting and Auditing, Faculty of Business and Law,
Lutsk National Technical University,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2792-8162
Sadovska Iryna,
Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Department of Accounting and Taxation,
Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7081-8524
Semenov Nazarii,
PhD in Economics, Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Trade,
Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University,
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5078-2417
Bilo Ivan,
postgraduate student of the Department of Economics and Trade,
Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4818-1248

Published: 19.01.26

The Ukrainian gas distribution industry has long carried a heavy historical burden — physical wear of pipelines beyond 60–65%, decades of underfunding, and now direct damage from the war. These overlapping pressures turn the question of innovation from an option into a survival condition for the sector, for energy security and for the country’s European trajectory. The article aims to substantiate a set of innovative measures for Ukrainian gas distribution enterprises, to expand the analysis of risks and regulatory barriers that impede their adoption, and to offer a conceptual model of innovation-driven transformation that fits both wartime constraints and the logic of post-war reconstruction. Methodologically, the work combines a systemic approach with comparative analysis and logical-structural modeling. The empirical layer is built on NEURC reports, Naftogaz of Ukraine data, IEA and ENTSOG materials, EBRD and KfW program documents, and a body of publications by Prof. O. M. Pavlova and co-authors on gas distribution enterprises and digital transformation. Five strategic directions for innovation are identified: technological modernization, management digitalization, pipeline reconstruction, methane leak detection systems, and human capital development. The risk classification has been extended to six groups: technological, financial, regulatory, cybersecurity, organizational, and military. Regulatory barriers fall into four clusters. The conceptual model interconnects measures, mechanisms, expected outcomes, time horizons, risks, and funding sources. The proposed measures are expected to reduce technological gas losses, shorten emergency response time, and increase labor productivity, the magnitudes of which require further empirical verification. Conclusions. Innovative transformation of gas distribution enterprises requires the simultaneous removal of regulatory and financial barriers, the management of an extended risk landscape, and a clear transition to RAB-based tariff regulation. Post-war reconstruction is interpreted through the Build Back Better lens.

Keywords: gas distribution enterprises, innovative measures, regulatory barriers, risks, RAB-regulation, Smart Metering, SCADA, digitalization, energy security, European integration.

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Quote article, APA style

Nahirska K. , Sadovska I. , Semenov N. , Bilo I. Implementation of innovative measures at gas distribution enterprises in ukraine: risks, regulatory barriers, and a conceptual model. Actual problems of innovative economy and law. 2026. №1. 176-182 pp. https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-1-39

Quote article, MLA style

Nahirska K. , Sadovska I. , Semenov N. , Bilo I. Implementation of innovative measures at gas distribution enterprises in ukraine: risks, regulatory barriers, and a conceptual model. Actual problems of innovative economy and law. https://doi.org/10.36887/2524-0455-2026-1-39