Serbian state-owned power utility EPS is preparing to take a leading role in the country’s potential development of nuclear energy, according to CEO Dušan Živković. Speaking at an energy conference in Zlatibor, he emphasized that the company already has the scale and technical expertise required to operate a future nuclear facility, while also pointing to the urgent need to develop a qualified nuclear workforce to support such a transition.
The potential shift toward nuclear power is being framed as part of a broader restructuring of Serbia’s energy mix. As decarbonization efforts accelerate, traditional baseload sources will need to be replaced, with nuclear energy increasingly viewed as a key long-term option. Živković noted that countries with nuclear capacity are often among the most economically developed, suggesting that Serbia should seriously evaluate its role in this segment of the energy sector.
At the same time, EPS continues to advance several major infrastructure projects. The construction of the Bistrica pumped-storage hydropower plant is described as the company’s most important strategic investment, with initial project documentation already completed and the first tenders for supporting works expected soon. Alongside hydropower development, gas-fired generation remains under consideration as a transitional solution, including discussions about a potential plant in Niš.
The company has also reported strong operational and financial performance in recent years, supported by a series of completed investment projects. These include the commissioning of a new coal unit at Kostolac, the addition of wind and solar capacity, and upgrades to key hydropower plants. Significant environmental improvements have also been implemented, particularly through the installation of flue gas desulfurization systems at major thermal facilities, resulting in sharply reduced emissions.
Overall, EPS has added several hundred megawatts of new capacity in recent years, strengthening energy security and modernizing its generation portfolio. This expansion forms part of a broader effort to align the utility with long-term energy transition objectives.
Živković also highlighted regulatory challenges, particularly the impact of the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanisms. He warned that current rules could weaken the competitiveness of regional electricity exports, despite strong demand within the EU. He added that resolving these regulatory issues could unlock significant export potential from renewable energy sources and improve the region’s position within the European electricity market.
