Đedović Handanović Meets with Subgroup Leads – Goal: First Nuclear Power Plant on the Grid by 2040
The Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, met today with the heads of subgroups within the Interdepartmental Expert Working Group to discuss the development of studies for the first phase of the national nuclear program. During the meeting, it was emphasized that the working subgroups, comprising more than 20 experts from various domestic institutions, have defined the majority of project tasks addressing the 19 infrastructure issues prescribed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The Minister stressed the importance of efficiency in the coming period to ensure the timely launch of procurement processes for studies covering key Phase 1 topics, which will involve both domestic and international experts. A notable highlight was the interest shown by the French Development Agency (AFD) in financing studies focused on workforce development, site selection, domestic industry involvement, and public information, to be conducted in cooperation with the French company EDF.
According to the established roadmap, the Ministry aims to complete all necessary studies by mid-next year to enable the Government to make an informed decision on the implementation of the nuclear program. Such a timeline would allow Serbia to be ready for technology selection and the contracting process by 2032, with the expectation that the first nuclear power plant could be connected to the grid after 2040.
The meeting also introduced the key subgroup leads who form the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO). Among them are Đorđe Lazarević from the “Nikola Tesla” Institute, responsible for the legislative framework and safety; Koviljka Stanković from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and President of the Serbian Nuclear Society, leading the subgroup for public information and workforce development; and Radoš Popadić, Acting Assistant Minister for the Power Sector. The expert team is completed by Zoran Drače for technology and site selection, Milutin Jevremović from the “Vinča” Institute for the fuel cycle and waste, and Miloš Mladenović from “Nuclear Facilities of Serbia” (NOS) for nuclear security and physical protection.
Source: Ministry of Mining and Energy
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