On July 10th, five Serbian ministries and 20 scientific institutions signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding. This event, heralded on the Government of Serbia’s official website, initiates a public discourse on the peaceful integration of nuclear energy into the nation’s energy strategy.
Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, present at the signing, underscored the memorandum as a rectification of a decision made in the 1980s to prohibit nuclear energy production in Yugoslavia. The longstanding moratorium on nuclear power plant construction in Serbia dates back to 1989.
Vučević expressed confidence in Serbia’s ability to develop nuclear energy while ensuring stringent environmental protection and public health standards. “This represents a significant opportunity for Serbia’s progress. I anticipate transparent and inclusive proceedings,” Vučević affirmed, according to Serbian Government reports.
Emphasizing the strategic imperative of energy security, Vučević highlighted that investment in nuclear energy would safeguard Serbia’s sovereignty and independence. The memorandum was signed at Belgrade’s Palace of Serbia by the Ministries of Environmental Protection, Mining and Energy, Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Health and Education. Also involved were state-owned entities such as Elektroprivreda Srbije and Elektromreža Srbije, alongside institutions including the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, the Serbian Nuclear Society and the Directorate for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security.
Serbian officials are exploring nuclear energy development as part of broader efforts to mitigate carbon emissions and transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Serbia, aligned with other Western Balkan nations, committed to eliminating coal use entirely by 2050, following the Green Agenda Declaration adopted in 2020 at the Sofia Summit.
Presently, Serbia’s electricity generation predominantly relies on coal-fired thermal power plants, according to data from the Energy Agency.
The 35-year ban on constructing nuclear power plants in Serbia remains in effect. Ana Brnabić, Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, announced on April 11th that the proposal to lift the ban on nuclear power plant construction will undergo public consultations and hearings before legislative debate.
