Serbia - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Nuclear policy and outlook
In 2024 Serbia's National Assembly voted through amendments to the energy law which ended the 35-year prohibition on the construction of nuclear power plants. The Serbian Energy Sector Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia up to 2040 with Projections up to 2050 includes the potential use of nuclear energy after 2040 as part of climate change commitments.
At the Nuclear Energy Summit in March 2024 Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić said Serbia was seeking support from other countries on nuclear know-how and financing towards a goal of establishing 1200 MWe of SMR capacity.
In February 2026 Serbia established a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO), which became fully operational in July, formally starting Phase 1 of the IAEA Milestones Approach.
In 2024, EDF were contracted to carry out an assessment of the potential for nuclear energy in Serbia. EDF's preliminary technical study, presented in March 2026, set out a 19-step roadmap. The government has identified at least 18 further studies, four of which EDF will carry out under a July 2026 partnership agreement with EDF and the French Development Agency.
Serbia aims to take a decision on launching a nuclear programme in 2027, be ready to select technology by 2032 and begin construction by 2035, with a first plant expected after 2040. No technology or vendor has been selected, and Serbia has also held talks with Rosatom and signed a training MoU with KHNP.
Table Rs.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - | 1200 | - | 1200 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Serbia has moved from lifting its nuclear ban to running a structured IAEA-based programme, with its programme body operational and an EDF partnership launched in 2026. However, it remains pre-decision with no site, technology, owner or financing.
| Country Category | Candidate |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Low The nuclear prohibition was lifted in 2024 and nuclear is incorporated into long-term energy planning. A partnership agreement with EDF and the French Development Agency has launched Phase 1 of the civilian programme, under a structured IAEA Milestones-based approach, with an informed decision on implementing a programme targeted for 2027. A final national decision to construct nuclear capacity has not yet been taken. |
| Institutional & Infrastructure Readiness | Low Serbia has an existing nuclear regulator (SRBATOM), research institutions and a NEPIO that became fully operational in July, with IAEA support. Further studies are being carried out on topics including the regulatory and legislative framework, human resources and supply chains. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Low Phase 1 studies are now being commissioned, out of three phases set out in the EDF preliminary report. There is no selected site, technology, owner/operator, financing structure or defined first project. |
| Target Achievability | Low The government's timetable is readiness to select technology by 2032 and construction starting by 2035, which would put first generation in the early-to-mid 2040s. This depends on sustained progress through two lengthy preparatory phases. |