Serbia opens tender for nuclear power feasibility study

The selected experts will have to conduct a detailed comparative analysis of available technologies on the market, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and conventional reactors, the ministry said in a tender invitation.

Interested bidders can submit their proposals until July 16, the statement read.

The estimated value of the procured work is 14.6 million dinars ($137,600/128,000 euro). Works on the project are expected to start already in the second quarter of the year, and to be completed within eight months, the statement read.

Earlier this week, while announcing the pending launch of the tender, energy minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said that French state-owned energy giant Electricite de France (EDF) has already expressed interest in participating in the procedure.

In April, Serbia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EDF on establishing long-term cooperation in the field of energy transition and low-carbon technology, which creates conditions for a strategic partnership with EDF in assessing the potential for the development of the civil nuclear programme in Serbia. The agreement includes support for the development of professional personnel and the exchange of technical knowledge.

In March, Serb president Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia is interested in getting at least four SMRs in order to boost its energy capacities in the future.

(1 euro = 117.071 dinars)