Role of distribution networks in rebuilding energy infrastructure in Ukraine

The study aimed to justify technical, organizational and digital solutions for improving the stability and reliability of Ukraine’s electricity distribution networks during recovery from large-scale war damage. A reconstruction-oriented analytical framework was applied that combined regional damage and network-loading indicators, System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) reliability metrics, renewable-energy integration, scenario-based assessment of energy storage systems (ESS), and quantitative international benchmarking of Smart Grid technologies. The analysis covered the Kyiv, Kharkiv and Lviv regions and used official regulatory data, distribution system operator materials and international reports for 2022-2025. Recorded damage to 0.4-10 kV power lines decreased from 7.8 thousand km in 2022 to 2.4 thousand km in 2025, while the number of damaged transformer substations declined from 340 to 120. Nevertheless, regional capacity utilization remained high, particularly in the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions. In 2022, SAIDI reached 1,200 min/consumer/year and SAIFI 4.1 outages/consumer/year, approximately 8.9 and 4.1 times the corresponding EU averages, respectively. By 2025, these indicators had declined to 850 min/consumer/year and 3.2 outages/consumer/year but remained approximately 7.1 and 3.6 times the corresponding EU averages. Scenario analysis showed that ESS support equivalent to 10% of regional load could reduce network utilization by approximately 8-9 percentage points in the most heavily loaded regions, while sensitivity analysis across the 5-15% support range confirmed the same direction of effect. International Smart Grid benchmarks indicated potential reductions in SAIDI of 29-38% and SAIFI of 18-28%, although these values were treated as comparative benchmarks rather than direct forecasts for Ukraine. The findings indicate that post-war reconstruction should combine physical restoration with increased redundancy, ESS deployment, automated control, secure digital monitoring and region-specific modernization priorities.