Serbia signs fresh nuclear programme agreement with EDF

Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović said: "It is very important for us that in this phase of our nuclear programme, in which we are laying the foundations for nuclear energy, we will be able to use their knowledge, experience and resources, which will be of great benefit.

"The most important part of this project relates to the development of a human resources development strategy, as one of the key prerequisites for launching a national nuclear programme. Human resources represent the most valuable element in the development of a nuclear programme in every country, and one of our most important tasks will be to create a base of engineers and other personnel who will be able to responsibly and professionally manage nuclear facilities in Serbia in the future."

Existing cooperation with France

Serbia had a longstanding law banning the construction of nuclear power plants, but in 2024 the National Assembly backed amendments to the energy law which ended that 35-year prohibition.

In October 2024 EDF and French engineering consultancy Egis were awarded the contract by Serbia's Ministry of Mining and Energy to conduct the preliminary technical study on the potential use of nuclear power in the country.

Serbia says it aims to follow the recommended International Atomic Energy Agency milestones approach to introducing nuclear energy capacity in the country. 

EDF delivered the Preliminary Technical Study on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy in March. It identified a necessary 19 key steps in three phases - phase 1 involves examining the feasibility and steps to take a decision to launch a nuclear power programme. Phase 2 includes activities related to the selection of a nuclear reactor type, contracting and construction of a nuclear facility. Phase 3 is when construction takes place.

Đedović Handanović said that EDF is due to produce three more studies within the first phase of the programme, with the remaining 14 studies to be "the subject of further consideration with various international companies that have the necessary experience".

The French Development Agency (AFD) has provided a grant of EUR500,000 (USD576,000) to provide support in building professional and organisational capacities in Serbia aimed at improving the knowledge and experience of personnel involved in the nuclear programme.

The Serbian minister said: "Our goal is to complete all studies by the middle of next year that will enable an informed decision to be made on the further development of the nuclear programme. In the years ahead, Serbia must be ready in an institutional, regulatory and professional sense for the choice of technology, and Serbia could get its first nuclear power plant after 2040."