Serbia picks EDF, Egis for study on introduction of nuclear energy

The Ministry of Mining and Energy of Serbia awarded a contract to French state-owned energy utility EDF and engineering company Egis Industries for a preliminary technical study for considering the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Following an agreement last month between Serbia and EDF to assess the potential for developing a civil nuclear program, the French state-owned energy utility and engineering firm Egis Industries won a tender for the country’s first study. The government in Belgrade adopted changes to the Law on Energy in August as well, aiming to abolish a 1989 moratorium on the construction of nuclear power plants.

The Ministry of Mining and Energy issued the public procurement order in June. It delayed the deadline by two weeks and opened the bids on August 2, the document shows.

EDF and Egis won the most points. Their bid almost matched the government’s estimate, at EUR 120,000 excluding value-added tax.

EDF, Egis need to list options, recommend solutions

The preliminary technical study for considering the peaceful use of nuclear energy is aimed at presenting available technologies. The contractors will be tasked with recommending the solutions as well.

The analysis needs to cover conventional, generation 3+ nuclear power plants, as well as more advanced technologies like small modular reactors or SMRs. Generation 4 reactors won’t be included, according to the project assignment.

Serbia, North Macedonia are looking to build their first nuclear plants

In Southeastern Europe, there are active reactors in Slovenia (operated with neighboring Croatia), Romania and Bulgaria, while Turkey is about to commission its first facility. All are preparing more projects including some for SMRs. North Macedonia is also considering the possibility of deploying small modular reactor technology.

Eight other companies and groups of bidders participated in the tender in Serbia:

• China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas;
• Jooho Whang – Powertos (the bid was declared invalid);
• Nikola Tesla Institute of Electrical Engineering – Enconet Consulting;
• Environ – GO2Power;
• Sargent and Lundy;
• Tenet Advisors – JSC KEPT;
• NAC International – MRC Arge Enerji Mühendisliği, Kontrol ve Test Hizmetleri;
• SC Romcapital Invest – UJV REŽ – EKS.

Earlier this year, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić said electricity consumption is expected to quadruple by 2050. In his view, the only solution to close the gap is to build large and small nuclear plants.