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.
The Energy Sector Development Strategy adopted in November 2024, modelled the impact of the introduction of 1000 MWe nuclear capacity after 2045.
In February 2026 Serbia established a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO), which became fully operational in July.
In July 2026, Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated that Serbia aims to be ready to select technology by 2032 and begin construction by 2035, with a first plant expected after 2040.
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 | 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. However, it remains pre-decision with no selected site or technology.
| Country Category | Candidate |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Low The nuclear prohibition was lifted in 2024 and nuclear is considered in long-term energy planning. An informed decision on implementing a nuclear power programme is 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, research institutions and a nuclear energy programme implementing organisation 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 Initial studies are underway but there is no selected site or technology. |
| Target Achievability | Low The government's timetable is to be ready to select a 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. |