Decision on the location of Serbia’s future nuclear power plant to be made next year

Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, stated that analyses and studies recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency are currently being conducted so that Serbia can make a final decision next year on where to build a nuclear power plant and which technology will be used.

- A preliminary study has been completed examining how and in what way the best nuclear facility can be integrated into our energy and transmission system. We will continue detailed analyses, primarily of the legislative framework, how to create a domestic value chain that will contribute to the construction of a nuclear facility, which location is most suitable for such a plant, and what additional work needs to be done to strengthen the transmission system, said Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic.

She recalled that 18 months ago, through legislative amendments, Serbia enabled the consideration of nuclear energy use on its territory.

- We have entered the first phase of developing a nuclear program. If our neighbors — Slovenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania — can have nuclear power plants, why shouldn’t we consider that option as well? the minister said, adding that many Serbian citizens had already lived in a country with a nuclear plant during the time of Yugoslavia, referring to the one in Krsko.

She said she understands that citizens are most concerned about the safety of operating a nuclear facility, but noted that safety assessments will be based on scientific data.

- You are more likely to be bitten by a shark than to experience the consequences of any nuclear incident. Considering that there are 400 nuclear reactors in 32 countries worldwide, that hundreds more reactors are under construction, and that 30 countries are currently considering the use of nuclear energy, that gives me confidence, Djedovic Handanovic said at the opening of the fourth Belgrade Energy Forum.

She emphasized that the main task in the coming period will be informing both the domestic and international public in order to highlight the advantages, benefits, and importance of using nuclear energy and to prevent manipulation of public opinion.

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

International Atomic Energy Agency

Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic

nuclear power plant