Serbia launches first phase of national nuclear energy program

Serbia has officially entered the first phase of developing its own nuclear energy program following the repeal of a 35-year moratorium on nuclear construction in November 2024. The government aims to complete the initial assessment phase by mid-2027 to determine if the country possesses the necessary conditions to proceed with nuclear power.

The program follows a three-phase development plan: assessing feasibility and regulation, determining locations and conducting studies, and finally, design and construction. If the process continues as planned, construction could begin by 2035, with the first plant potentially operational after 2040. President Aleksandar Vučić has indicated an interest in small modular reactors, noting a potential investment requirement of approximately 7.5 billion euros.

To support this initiative, the Ministry of Mining and Energy has signed agreements with the French state-owned utility EDF and the French Development Agency (AFD). The program is being implemented according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) methodology, which requires addressing 19 key areas, including financing, nuclear safety, waste management, and human resources.

However, experts have raised concerns regarding the program's viability. Physicist Slobodan Bubnjević noted a critical shortage of specialized personnel, stating that the country currently lacks reactor engineers. Critics also point to a lack of public debate and the challenges of securing the massive required funding.