Djedović Handanović and the Vinča Institute: Education and Gathering of Experts as the Foundation for Nuclear Energy Development in Serbia

“By adopting amendments to the Energy Law, Serbia has created the opportunity for the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, recognizing the need to strategically address future energy security. This cannot be achieved without strengthening the human resources base. While we already have a solid foundation, we aim to further reinforce it, and we have recognized the Vinča Institute as a cornerstone for establishing a nuclear program in our country. The Ministry of Mining and Energy, as the institution that will lead the nuclear program on behalf of the Government, is working on establishing a dedicated Department for Nuclear Energy, and cooperation with the Vinča Institute will be essential in this regard,” said Djedović Handanović.

She noted that the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year with representatives of five ministries and 20 faculties, scientific institutes, and energy companies, with the aim of bringing together experts from both Serbia and abroad to support the development of the peaceful application of nuclear energy.

Slavko Dimović, Director of the Vinča Institute, informed the Minister about the Institute’s development plans, including its ambition to take a leading role in education and training in nuclear technologies.

“The Institute aims to take a leading role in the field of nuclear energy, with a strong focus on the education and training of new professionals, and to guide Serbia’s nuclear program from both scientific and educational perspectives. It is our ambition to establish ourselves as a regional educational centre in the field of the peaceful application of nuclear energy. Additionally, we have formed an expert committee at the Institute, which will bring together specialists from within and outside the Institute, across various nuclear-related fields, to support the state in the future development of the peaceful application of nuclear energy,” said Dimović.

The Minister of Mining and Energy stated that the Preliminary Technical Study on the Peaceful Application of Nuclear Energy in Serbia is in its final stage of preparation. She emphasized that this study represents the first step in developing a nuclear program and will outline possible market and technological options, which will serve as a basis for future decision-making.

“There are many parameters that need to be considered —technical, economic, and legal—so that we can make the right decisions in the future. At this stage, the most important thing is that everything we do is aligned with the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” said Djedović Handanović.

Representatives of the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences also informed the Minister about other initiatives and potential projects, including the construction of a pilot facility for green hydrogen production as an innovative project, as well as projects for the construction of a solar power plant and a heat pump system, aimed at reducing current electricity and heating costs.