The Serbian Parliament has passed amendments to the Law on Energy, including the removal of the long-standing moratorium on nuclear energy. This decision effectively lifts the ban on the construction of nuclear power plants in Serbia, which had been in place since 1989, following the catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The change in policy was announced earlier this month by Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedovic. She highlighted that nuclear energy could play a critical role in providing a stable, reliable base load supply of power. Djedovic also emphasized the government’s broader energy strategy, which includes the development of new gas-fired power plants alongside efforts to support the growth of renewable energy sources.

In addition to lifting the nuclear moratorium, Djedovic confirmed statements made by President Aleksandar Vučić regarding Serbia’s interest in acquiring a 5-10% stake in the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary. This marks a significant step in Serbia’s energy diversification efforts, as the country seeks to balance renewable energy growth with reliable and sustainable base-load power generation.

The lifting of the nuclear moratorium opens the door for future nuclear energy projects in Serbia, signaling a shift in the country’s energy strategy as it seeks to ensure energy security and meet future demand.