Serbia has signed a partnership agreement with France's EDF and the French Development Agency (AFD), marking a significant step in the country's plans to develop nuclear energy. The agreement will support Serbia in building the technical, institutional and human capacities needed to launch its national nuclear programme, with the country's first nuclear power plant expected after 2040.
The partnership will support the development of technical studies, institutional capacity and workforce training required for Serbia's nuclear programme.
Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović said the agreement represents the beginning of the country's nuclear journey, highlighting EDF's expertise as one of the world's largest nuclear power operators. EDF had already completed a preliminary technical study for Serbia in 2025 and will now continue supporting the first phase of programme development.
A major focus of the partnership is preparing Serbia's future nuclear workforce. The government will develop a national human resources strategy to train engineers, technical specialists and regulatory experts required to support a future nuclear industry.
To support this process, the French Development Agency (AFD) approved a EUR 500,000 grant to strengthen Serbia's technical and organisational capacities during the early stages of the programme. The funding will be provided through AFD's FEXTE technical assistance facility.
Serbia aims to complete all technical and strategic studies required for a final investment decision by mid-2027. EDF will prepare three additional studies during the first phase, while another fourteen studies will be carried out with other international partners.
According to the government, once the regulatory, institutional and technical framework is fully established and the preferred technology is selected, Serbia could commission its first nuclear power plant after 2040.
The agreement represents Serbia's most significant step toward developing nuclear energy and reflects the country's long-term strategy to diversify its electricity mix and strengthen energy security. For international technology providers, engineering companies and investors, the programme creates future opportunities in nuclear infrastructure, workforce development and technical services as Serbia advances toward a potential first nuclear power project.
