Serbia is exploring the development of nuclear energy via two potential pathways – conventional nuclear power plants (NPPs) and small modular reactors (SMRs) – as the country received its first preliminary study on the civilian use of nuclear energy, Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on July 14.

The Balkan country is seeking to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and estimates it will need about €30mn to complete the initial two phases of its nuclear programme, developed in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines.

"The first and second phases last somewhere between five and seven years," Djedovic Handanovic told reporters, referring to the timeline for preparatory work including feasibility studies and regulatory groundwork. "Further additional studies and analyses should be completed around them, but also a body should be formed that will deal with the development of the nuclear programme."

The minister confirmed that the government is in the process of establishing a coordinating body within the Ministry of Mining and Energy, which will include representatives from scientific institutes and other relevant institutions.

She noted that the integration of nuclear energy into Serbia’s power grid is not expected in the short term. “According to the study, integration into the transmission system is possible, but not before 15 to 20 years,” she said.

Serbia has not yet selected international partners for its nuclear development programme, but it is working with French state-owned utility EDF on a technical study. “France has an extremely large experience because about 70 percent of its energy is produced in nuclear power plants,” said Djedovic Handanovic. “However, when we talk about the construction of nuclear power plants, France has not built them for a long time.”

She added that Serbia is also looking to South Korea and Russia as potential partners. “We intend to sign an agreement with South Korea on cooperation regarding both types of technology in the next two months,” she said. “I think we will give ourselves the opportunity to consider cooperation with partners from different countries.”

Citing energy security concerns and environmental targets, the minister said nuclear energy offers long-term benefits. “Renewable sources have their role, but they are not stable enough because they depend on weather conditions,” she said. “Fossil fuels also have a limited lifespan, so we need an alternative that can provide energy in the long term with significantly less harmful gas emissions. Nuclear energy is one such option, with working lives of 80 to 90 years.”

In parallel with its nuclear plans, Serbia continues to expand renewable energy production. Djedovic Handanovic pointed to recent achievements, including the opening of the first solar park owned by the state utility Electric Power Company of Serbia (EPS) and the nearing completion of a wind park in Kostolac. These projects are expected to provide green electricity to approximately 35,000 households.

She also highlighted the importance of the reversible hydroelectric power plant Bistrica, which is currently in the final phase of preparatory work. “Final negotiations with the Japan Agency for International Cooperation, which will finance the construction, are in progress,” she said.

On the coal front, the minister reported a 7% increase in domestic production in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2024, while imports have decreased. “The quality of coal in our basins is declining, which is why we are opening new mines and investing in equipment for continuous production,” she said.

Addressing the issue of US sanctions on the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), Djedovic Handanovic said the government is actively working to avoid their implementation. “That's why we will continue the dialogue and work on the maximum increase of energy reserves,” she concluded.