The Government of Serbia has adopted a Memorandum of Understanding with French state-owned energy company Electricite de France (EDF) on establishing a framework for long-term dialogue and cooperation in the energy transition and low-carbon technologies. Possible areas of cooperation include nuclear energy and hydropower.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is expected during an upcoming visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to France, according to the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

Yesterday, Vučić asked the government to start amending the regulations to enable the construction of nuclear power plants, and announced that nuclear energy will be one of the topics he will discuss with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Of note, just a week ago EDF established a strategic partnership with the Government of Montenegro, which may involve joint projects to build hydropower plants.

According to Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, the memorandum paves the way for a strategic partnership with EDF in assessing the potential for the development of a civil nuclear program in Serbia, including support for professional staff development and the exchange of knowledge.

EDF is interested in cooperation with Serbia’s power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) in the development of new, and revitalization of existing, hydropower plants of regional interest, to ensure Serbia’s energy security by applying the best international standards in environmental protection, technology and practice, she stressed.

The memorandum, in her words, also envisages the possibility of cooperation in the development of solutions for energy storage, including batteries and green hydrogen.

Earlier today the minister met with French Ambassador to Serbia Pierre Koshar. The two discussed the preparation of the upcoming visit of the President of Serbia to France, and cooperation in the energy sector.

She noted that there are discussions with France about strategic cooperation in many areas, among which energy is one of the most important.

Đedović Handanović said that due to its moratorium on nuclear energy, Serbia lacks experts in this field, which will be intensively discussed in the coming period.

She believes this is also an opportunity for Serbia to bring back a large number of educated young people to the country.