In line with the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in the Republic of Serbia, a Serbian delegation led by Jovana Joksimović, Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy for International Cooperation and European Integration, conducted a working visit to Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The delegation also included Dušan Živković, General Director of the electric utility power company Elektroprivreda Srbije, and Slavko Dimović, Director of the Institute for Nuclear Sciences Vinča.
“The energy crisis and the objectives of the Green Deal have effectively sparked a renaissance in nuclear energy across Europe,” stated Joksimović after meeting with representatives from the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade responsible for nuclear energy and international cooperation. She emphasized that Serbia’s Energy Development Strategy, currently under public discussion, envisions the potential use of nuclear energy in the country for the first time. The experiences of countries like Slovakia and the Czech Republic offer valuable insights into legislative changes, increased involvement of the scientific community, and the approach to developing these complex and demanding projects.
Dušan Živković highlighted that Elektroprivreda Srbije will align with Serbia’s strategic direction in energy development, which involves the gradual phase-out of coal. He pointed out that this transition is a lengthy, costly, and complex process.
“At the end of this process, alongside renewable energy sources and energy storage solutions for balancing needs, a stable source of base-load energy, such as nuclear, will be essential for a more secure energy future,” he stated.
In Slovakia, where more than half of the country’s electricity is generated by nuclear power plants, the Serbian delegation engaged in discussions with representatives of the JESS company about a project to construct a new 1,200 megawatts (MW) reactor at the Jaslovská Bohunice nuclear power plant (NPP). In the Czech Republic, they visited the Temelín NPP and a training center at the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences in Prague.
Dr. Slavko Dimović expressed his institute’s interest in establishing cooperation with leading Slovak and Czech scientific institutions in the field of nuclear energy.
“The nuclear program for peaceful purposes represents not just nuclear energy, but also a historic opportunity for science, research, and development,” he emphasized. “The Vinča Institute has the potential to be a strategic partner for Serbia in the steps that will ensure long-term energy security and independence.”
Work is also ongoing on a Preliminary Technical Study to evaluate the peaceful application of nuclear energy in Serbia. This study will assess conventional nuclear power plants of the III+ generation as well as advanced technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs), with the goal of selecting the best available technology tailored to Serbia’s specific needs.
This exploration of nuclear energy opportunities represents a significant step toward Serbia’s ambition to diversify its energy mix and secure a stable, sustainable energy future.
