Serbia signed two memorandums of understanding with South Korean
state-owned Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) on September 2,
in another step in its plans to develop nuclear energy and hydrogen
projects, officials said.
Serbia repealed a 35-year-old moratorium on nuclear energy in
November 2024, overturning the Law on the Prohibition of the
Construction of Nuclear Power Plants. The move reflects a strategic
shift as the country seeks to meet rising energy demand, reduce
reliance on coal and align with European Union standards.
The agreements were signed by Sonja Vlahovic, state secretary at
Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy, and Joo-ho Whang, president
and CEO of KHNP, a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation
(KEPCO).
The memorandums cover cooperation in nuclear technology
training, technical exchanges and the development of pilot green
hydrogen projects in Serbia. They aim to help Serbia train
personnel, develop expertise and share best practices in both
sectors, the ministry said.
Speaking at the Korea-Serbia Strategic Energy Development Forum
in Belgrade, Slavko Dimovic, CEO of the Vinča Institute for Nuclear
Sciences, said Serbia could realistically have a nuclear power
plant operational by 2040.
Serbia has not yet selected international partners for its
nuclear programme but is conducting a technical study with French
state-owned EDF and is considering potential cooperation with South
Korea and Russia.
KHNP representatives highlighted ongoing nuclear projects in
South Korea and abroad, as well as hydrogen initiatives, which
could support Serbia’s ambitions in clean energy. Hyundai
Engineering, a South Korean company, is already involved in
Serbia’s largest renewable energy project, deploying 1,000 MW of
solar power with battery storage.
Serbia has so far explored nuclear cooperation with China,
France, Russia, Slovenia and the United States.
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