A public debate on the possibilities of using nuclear energy was opened on July 10, 2024, after five ministries in the Serbian government signed a memorandum of understanding with 20 scientific institutes and organizations in this field.
Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Jedovic Handanovic said that the country is in the preparatory phase of developing its nuclear program and is already cooperating with the French company EDF, while remaining open to partnerships with other technology providers. According to her, Serbia’s first nuclear power plant could be connected to the power grid by 2040.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Russian state corporation Rosatom, led by Director General Alexei Likhachev, Minister Jedovic Handanovic emphasized that the first two stages of the nuclear program’s development should be completed by 2032. By that time, she said, further development of small modular reactor technology is expected, which will enable Serbia to consider this option.
“Once we are ready in terms of institutions, regulations, and personnel, we will be able to choose a partner and technology provider and start the construction process so that we have a nuclear power plant connected to the grid by 2040,” the minister said, according to RSE.
Alexey Likhachev familiarized the Serbian side with Rosatom’s experience, the projects the company is currently implementing, and its plans for the future. He emphasized that the corporation is working on about 30 power units of large and small capacity in nine countries, including China, India, Egypt, Turkey, and Hungary.
He added that possible cooperation with Serbia could include the exchange of experience and knowledge within a joint working group. “Our experts can cooperate in areas such as public information and education, strengthening human resources capacity, and analyzing the regulatory framework,” Likhachev said.
The meeting was also attended by Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko. Driven by the desire to diversify its energy sector and move away from dependence on Russian gas, Serbia is increasingly actively considering the idea of building nuclear power plants on its territory.
A public debate on the possibilities of using nuclear energy was opened on July 10, 2024, after five ministries in the Serbian government signed a memorandum of understanding with 20 scientific institutes and organizations in this field.
Although Russia lost its dominant position in oil and gas exports after the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, it remains the world’s largest supplier of nuclear fuel, with a share of over 40 percent of the global market. For countries with Russian-made reactors, this dependence is even stronger, as Rosatom operates 18 reactors in the European Union, most of which are located in Central and Eastern Europe.
It is this dependence that led to the exclusion of Rosatom and Russian nuclear materials from the sanctions packages adopted in Brussels. At the same time, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and key Western suppliers of nuclear fuel have announced plans to increase their own uranium enrichment capacities and build reactors across Europe.
In this context, Belgrade is faced with the need to make a strategic decision, taking into account the long-term consequences. Serbia currently produces nearly 70 percent of its electricity from coal, but has committed to phasing it out completely by 2050. To achieve this goal, the country will have to include nuclear energy in its energy mix, along with a larger share of renewable sources.
Source: BGNES