Photo: Nenad Kostić / Ministry of Mining and Energy
In its development of a nuclear program, Serbia is cooperating with French EDF and they plan to complete the second phase by 2032, said Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović. In her words, Rosatom could be a valuable partner for knowledge exchange and support in the preparation stage.
Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Dubravka Đedović Handanović spoke with a delegation from Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corp. Rosatom, led by Director General Alexey Likhachev, about cooperation between the two countries in the nuclear energy sphere. She highlighted the multidecade bilateral cooperation in energy, gas, oil and electricity sectors.
“We are at the crossroads of planning the future of the electricity sector and at the beginning of a long journey. I am proud that, after 35 years, we have repealed the law banning the construction of nuclear power plants and began building the foundations for the future development of nuclear energy in Serbia. We are learning from various partners during the preliminary and preparatory phases of nuclear program development, and Rosatom – as one of the world leaders with 80 years of experience building nuclear power plants and developing nuclear programs in countries worldwide, of which some are experienced, and some are developing nuclear programs for the first time – could be a valuable partner for knowledge exchange and support in the preparatory phase of our nuclear program development,” the minister stated.
Serbia is at the crossroads of planning the future of the electricity sector and at the beginning of a long journey
She recalled that Serbia plans to build additional electricity production capacities and that a new, stable source of baseload energy is needed due to economic growth, new technologies, artificial intelligence and the decarbonization of the energy sector. She noted that Serbia has adopted strategic documents that recognize nuclear energy as an option after 2040.
Small modular reactors to become option as well around time of completion of preparations
The government should approve the formation of the nuclear energy program implementing organization (NEPIO) by the end of the month, Đedović Handanović pointed out.
2We plan to complete the first and second phases of the nuclear program by 2032. In the preparatory phase, we are cooperating with French company EDF, and we are open to collaborating with other technology providers from which we can learn. At that time, the small modular reactor (SMR) technology will be more developed than it is today, and we will be able to consider them as an option. Once we have built the necessary institutional, regulatory and human resource capacities, we will be able to select a partner and technology provider and enter the construction process, so that we can have a nuclear power plant on the grid after 2040,” she asserted.
Neighboring Romania is working on a project for the first nuclear power plant in Europe that would consist of small modular reactors – SMRs.
Likhachev presented Rosatom’s experience and the projects it is developing, as well as the plans for the future and modalities for potential cooperation.
“Rosatom is a world leader in nuclear energy, and it is currently implementing approximately 30 large and small-scale units in nine countries, including China, India, Egypt, Turkey and Hungary. We could exchange experience and knowledge with Serbia within a joint working group,” he stated.
First of two phases due for completion in mid-2027
Last week, Đedović Handanović chaired the first meeting of the intersectoral expert working group for examining the feasibility of an approach to nuclear energy development. Together with the group for the preparation and implementation of the nuclear energy program from the Ministry of Mining and Energy, it will constitute the NEPIO.
The first of the two phases should be completed sometime in mid-2027. It concerns the determination of the necessary legal regulations, technical, security, human resources and market needs. Phase 2 is beginning after completing a comprehensive report.
“That whole initial, preparatory process would last around four years,” Đedović Handanović stressed.
The first four additional studies will be conducted in cooperation with Électricité de France (EDF), with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD), based on an intergovernmental agreement.
The government signed a cooperation agreement for nuclear energy with state-owned company EDF. In collaboration with the company Egis, the same utility completed a preliminary technical study on the peaceful application of nuclear energy in Serbia last year. However, the document has not yet been published.
Likhachev met a year ago in Belgrade with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and the then-premier miloš Vučević. Following the discussion, Rosatom said that the chief executive offered help in projects.
Over the past few years, Serbia established contacts or cooperation also with Slovenia, the United States, China and South Korea.
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