“We are laying the foundations for nuclear energy in our country,” Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated at the signing of a partnership agreement with French state-owned EDF and development bank AFD. The first nuclear power plant could be completed after 2040, she pointed out.
Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović signed a partnership agreement between Serbia and the French power and energy utility Électricité de France (EDF Group) and development bank Agence Française de Développement (AFD). It facilitates support in developing expert, organizational capacities and human resources and the creation of studies for the development of the nuclear program, the update adds.
The minister noted that the said company has completed the creation of a preliminary technical study for Serbia last year.
“EDF is the leading operator of nuclear power plants globally, with more than 50 nuclear reactors in France alone, and is a world leader in the production of electricity from sources with low carbon-dioxide emissions. It is very significant for us that in this phase of our nuclear program, in which we are laying the foundations for nuclear energy in our country, we will be able to use their knowledge, experience, and resources, which will be of great benefit to the experts of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization – NEPIO,” the minister stated.
Human resources are most valuable factor
The most important part relates to the creation of a human resources development strategy, as one of the key prerequisites for launching a national nuclear program, Đedović Handanović revealed.
Personnel represent the most valuable factor in the development of a nuclear program in every country, and one of the most important tasks will particularly be the creation of a base of engineers and other staff, she asserted.
All studies relevant to final decision needed by mid-2027
Đedović Handanović reiterated that cooperation with EDF is planned for the production of three more studies within the first phase of the nuclear program, and that the remaining 14 will be subject to further consideration with various international companies that possess the necessary experience.
All studies relevant to the decision need to be completed before mid-2027.
France’s development bank AFD approved a EUR 500,000 grant for the Serbian nuclear program
“Our goal is to have all studies completed by the middle of next year, which will enable an informed decision to be made on the further development of the nuclear program. In the years ahead of us, Serbia must be ready in institutional, regulatory and expert terms to pick the technology, and Serbia could get its first nuclear power plant after the year 2040,” she stated.
The French agency approved a EUR 500,000 grant, which is its first participation in the nuclear program development. The support would be facilitated, through a project that AFD is implementing under its Fund for Technical Expertise and Experience Transfers (FEXTE), for building expert and organizational capacities in Serbia necessary for preparation, development and management in phase 1 and part of phase 2, the ministry added.
Of note, AFD has just signed a loan agreement with CGES, Montenegro’s electricity transmission system operator (TSO), in the amount of EUR 25 million, for the modernization of strategic substations Perućica and Pljevlja 2 and support for Montenegro’s energy transition.
