Đedović Handanovic, pictured above, noted the existing cooperation agreement in the field of nuclear energy between the Serbian Government and France's state-owned energy giant EDF, which included a preliminary technical study on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Serbia.
"Given that Serbia needs new sources of base energy, due to the growth of electricity consumption and the need for decarbonisation, we have sent a request to AFD (Agence Française de Développement) for support in the first phase of the nuclear programme ... which includes support in the development of professional staff and assessment of the impact of nuclear power plants on the transmission network," she said.
"Given that France is recognised as a country that has extensive experience in nuclear energy, Serbia finds their experience very useful. We are discussing the continuation of cooperation with EDF in the implementation of the first phase of the development of the nuclear programme, which includes the training of personnel and informing the general public about the potential application of nuclear energy in Serbia."
The energy ministry said that the next steps agreed were on the development of a special study of the French agency's support in the development of nuclear energy in Serbia, as well as cooperation in the field of energy efficiency. "With the technical support of the AFD, we will also work on long-term planning of the energy transition, in line with the goals we have set for 2050," the minister added.
Serbia had a longstanding law banning the construction of nuclear power plants, but in December 2024 the National Assembly voted through amendments to the energy law ending that 35-year prohibition.
In October 2024 EDF and French engineering consultancy Egis were awarded a contract by Serbia's Ministry of Mining & Energy to conduct a preliminary technical study on the potential use of nuclear power in the country, and the country has also held talks with Russia's Rosatom about non-energy applications of nuclear technologies. President Aleksandar Vučić has also discussed the option of Serbia acquiring 5 to 10% of Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant.
Vučić said at 2024's multinational Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, that the country was seeking support from other countries in terms of know-how and financing to achieve its aim of getting 1200 MW of capacity from small modular reactors.
The French development agency says it finances and support projects aiming to build "a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable future. In a world facing climate challenges, growing inequalities, and geopolitical tensions, we invest to develop concrete, humane, and responsible solutions".
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