Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, addressed the “Next Milano” forum at Bocconi University, where she shared the country’s strategy for decarbonizing its energy sector by 2050. She emphasized the importance of considering nuclear energy as part of Serbia’s future energy mix, following the lifting of the moratorium on nuclear power plant construction. Her remarks were part of a broader discussion on energy transition and the growing electricity demand in the Balkans, in front of over 1,000 students from Serbia and around the world.
Đedović Handanović stressed the critical link between the energy transition, energy security and economic development. She warned against an abrupt closure of thermal power plants, explaining that such a move could lead to a crisis, leaving millions without electricity and heat, and disrupting essential sectors like the economy, healthcare, education, and citizens’ daily lives.
“We cannot afford to ignore energy security and economic stability in our push for decarbonization,” the minister stated. “Serbia has an ambitious but realistic plan to decarbonize its energy sector by 2050, but we still require a reliable base load of energy to ensure this transition.”
The minister noted that by lifting the nuclear power plant construction moratorium last year, Serbia opened the door to incorporating nuclear energy into its future energy mix. She highlighted the growing global demand for electricity, driven by the increased use of artificial intelligence tools and data centers, which now consume about 1.5% of global electricity. This demand is expected to double by 2030.
In Serbia, the data center in Kragujevac, the largest in the Western Balkans, already accounts for about 0.35% of the country’s total electricity consumption. The country is also on track to host the largest supercomputer in Southeastern Europe. Đedović Handanović pointed out the necessity of ensuring a sustainable and cost-effective energy supply to meet these growing needs, especially if the country aims for clean energy in its plants and economy.
To support this transition, Serbia plans to invest approximately 15 billion euros in its energy sector over the next 10 to 15 years. This investment will ensure that the energy sector continues to meet the needs of citizens and the economy while supporting future growth.
The minister also discussed Serbia’s energy interconnections with neighboring countries, including Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, and Montenegro. Serbia currently has eight interconnections and will continue investing in strengthening its transmission network and building energy corridors to enhance supply stability.
During her visit to Bocconi University, Đedović Handanović met with Rector Franceska Bilari and Dean Antonella Karu to discuss potential academic collaboration between the university and Serbia. She highlighted the opportunity for Serbian students to access internationally recognized master’s programs from Bocconi University, which could enrich the educational offerings in Serbia.
“By introducing such programs in Serbia, we would provide students with the chance to earn degrees from world-renowned institutions without leaving the country,” said Đedović Handanović. “This would broaden educational choices and contribute to Serbia’s position as an academic hub in the Western Balkans.”
The minister concluded by emphasizing that Serbia is not only the central country in the Western Balkans but also has the potential to become the region’s academic and educational center.
