Serbia’s Minister of Mines & Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović has held discussions in Belgrade on nuclear co-operation with a Rosatom delegation led by Director General Alexey Likhachev. The meeting was attended by Russia’s Ambassador to Serbia, Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko.
She emphasised that Serbia was at a crossroads in planning the future of the electricity sector and was just beginning a long journey. She added that she was proud that, after 35 years, the law banning the construction of NPPs had been repealed, marking the start of building the foundations for future nuclear energy development in Serbia. In December 2024 the National Assembly had approved amendments to the energy law ending the ban.
Đedović Handanović said Serbia was learning from various partners in the preliminary and preparatory stages developing its nuclear programme. She noted that Rosatom, a world leader, has been building NPPs and developing nuclear programmes in countries around the world for 80 years, some experienced and some developing a nuclear programme for the first time. She said Rosatom, could be a valuable partner for knowledge exchange and support in the preparatory stage for the development of Serbia’s nuclear programme.
She noted that Serbia was planning to build additional capacities for electricity production and that a new stable source of baseload energy was needed, due to economic growth, new technologies, artificial intelligence and decarbonisation of the energy sector. She said Serbia had adopted strategic documents that recognised nuclear energy as an option after 2040, and that the Government was also expected to approve the formation of the National Nuclear Energy Programme Implementation Organisation (NEPIO) by the end of February.
She added that Serbia planned to complete the first and second phases of the nuclear programme by 2032, and in the preparatory phase was cooperating with the French company EDF. However, Serbia was ready to cooperate with other technology carriers from which it could learn.
Đedović Handanović noted that, in future, small modular reactor technology of would be more developed and Serbia would then be able to consider them as an option. When Serbia has in place the necessary institutions, regulations and staff, it will be able to choose a partner, a technology supplier and begin the construction process in order to have a NPP on the network after 2040.
For his part, Likhachev presented the experience and activities of Rosatom, the projects they were developing at that moment, as well as plans for the future and modalities of possible cooperation. He said Rosatom was a world leader in nuclear energy and was currently implementing approximately 30 large and small power units in nine countries, including China, India, Egypt, Turkey and Hungary.
“We could exchange experiences and knowledge with Serbia within the framework of the working group. Our experts can cooperate in areas such as public information and education, strengthening human resources and capacities and analysing the regulatory framework,” he explained.
Separately, Likhachev met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to discuss possibilities for using nuclear power in the pharmaceutical, health care and energy sectors. During the talks, they discussed expanding cooperation in nuclear energy, involving Serbian companies in Rosatom’s international projects, and providing education and training opportunities for Serbian students in nuclear-related disciplines at Russian universities.
Vučić said special attention was paid to the development of Serbia’s personnel and industrial potential in the nuclear sector. “We also discussed possibilities for Serbian companies’ participation and training concerning the use of nuclear energy in third countries,” he posted on Instagram.
Likhachev told reporters: The Serbian leadership is currently considering the possibility of building the country’s first nuclear power plant. Rosatom is offering comprehensive cooperation to Serbian partners. Nuclear energy for Serbia is an opportunity to ensure energy sovereignty and security for decades to come. Rosatom is the largest player in the market for foreign NPP construction, occupying a share of more than 90% of the world market. We are ready to offer Serbia the entire line of our projects in nuclear energy, from low to high capacity.”
Serbia has been pursuing international partnerships to develop its nuclear energy sector. Other partners include, France, South Korea, China, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. However, long-term cooperation continues with Rosatom, specifically regarding the construction of a Centre for Nuclear Science, Technology and Innovation for non-energy applications.
In October 2024 Serbia’s Ministry of Mines & Energy awarded contracts to EDF and French engineering consultancy Egis to conduct a preliminary technical study on the potential use of nuclear power. Earlier in February Đedović Handanovic held talks with the French Development Agency (AFD – Agence Française de Développement) about cooperation related to the energy transition. Vučić has also discussed the option of Serbia acquiring 5-10% of Hungary’s Paks NPP.
A few days before the meeting with Rosatom, Đedović Handanović had chaired the first meeting of an Interdepartmental Expert Working Group to examine the justification of access to nuclear energy development, which, together with the Group for the Preparation and Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Programme, which was formed as an internal unit within the Ministry of Mines and Energy, will form the planned NEPIO.
“By the half of next year, we plan to complete phase 1, which includes a complete analysis of the legislation required to construct a NPP in our country,” she said. “By then we will know what technical, security, personnel and market requirements are necessary, including all stakeholders, the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as the general public. We will then develop a comprehensive report summarising the results of phase 1 and propose a national position on the use of nuclear energy. After that, phase 2 will begin, which will include pave the way for construction of a nuclear power plant. The whole initial, preparatory process will take about four years.
She stated that the potential for involving local industry in the introduction of the nuclear programme will be analysed. The first four additional studies will be developed in cooperation with French company EDF, with the support of the French Development Agency, based on an interstate agreement between Serbia and France.
“We will rely on EDF, but as to the technology that will be used, the decision has not yet been made and still has to be studied. The construction site will have to meet all the security criteria. Everything will be decided in the years to come. Our industry can contribute to the development of the nuclear programme and it is important that these potentials are recognised and considered in time, in order to strengthen the value chain in our country.”
She emphasised that development of a nuclear programme is a complex and long-term process that requires fundamental preparations, a clear institutional framework and close cooperation between several institutions. The task is complex and requires the coordinated, harmonised, joint activity of several institutions. The Interdepartmental Expert Working Group consists of more than 20 experts from different institutions and that number will increase over time. They will work focused on support, within clearly defined deadlines, respecting the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which will eventually give a decision on whether or not we are ready for construction.
