Dr. Koviljka Stanković, an associate professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade and president of the Serbian Nuclear Society, emphasizes the importance of each country’s sovereign decision-making regarding nuclear programs. She underscores the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in providing guidelines, recommendations, and monitoring mechanisms to assist member states in all phases of nuclear programs.
The recent discourse on constructing a nuclear power plant in Serbia gained traction following President Aleksandar Vučić’s announcement of the country’s need for at least four small modular nuclear reactors by 2050 to meet rising electricity demands. The president cited financial constraints and lack of expertise as barriers to traditional nuclear reactor adoption. Vučić also signaled the lifting of the moratorium on nuclear power plant construction.
An expert conference convened in Belgrade, focusing on sustainable energy transition in the Western Balkans, highlighted the significance of timely energy planning. Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, stressed the necessity of contemplating nuclear energy as part of Serbia’s future energy mix.
Professor Stanković outlines a logical sequence for Serbia’s nuclear energy consideration, starting with the repeal of the prohibition law, followed by a thorough assessment of energy needs, environmental impacts, and long-term energy strategies. This deliberation process informs decisions within Serbia’s Energy Development Strategy.
Should nuclear energy be deemed viable, a preparatory phase spanning several years ensues. This phase involves regulatory framework development, personnel training, site selection, and infrastructure readiness. Notably, international experience suggests a 10 to 15-year timeline before plant construction begins.
Serbia’s energy mix currently heavily relies on coal-fired thermal power plants, emphasizing the imperative for decarbonization. With EU mandates and global commitments to reduce emissions, nuclear and gas power plants emerge as viable alternatives to thermal plants. Stanković underscores the importance of continuous electricity production and advocates for nuclear energy’s inclusion in Serbia’s energy transition.
Concerns surrounding nuclear energy’s safety and waste management are addressed by Stanković, who points to neighboring countries’ existing nuclear facilities and international protocols for spent fuel repatriation.
In navigating Serbia’s energy future, the deliberative process must balance energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic viability, with nuclear energy emerging as a crucial component in the country’s energy diversification strategy.
