Minister rules out construction of nuclear plant

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

JAGODINA -- Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection Zorana Mihajlović says that the construction of a nuclear power plant in Serbia is out of question.

Mihajlović dismissed the possibility of building a nuclear power plant in Serbia not only for environmental reasons but also because the construction would be extremely expensive.

In addition to this, Serbia lacks experts in this field, and the issue of radioactive waste would also come to the forefront, Mihajlović said in a TV panel discussion held Thursday evening in Jagodina.

"I don't think it would be good to build a nuclear power plant here", the energy minister said.

She said that Serbia refused to participate in the construction of a nuclear plant in Bulgaria. In her opinion, it would be a waste of money, and the funds could be used to build not one, but two hydroelectric power stations.

"Let us make use of what we have and what is more environment-friendly," said Mihajlović, pointing out that the capacities Serbia plans to build would generate enough electricity, even for export.

The Energy Ministry's priorities are the construction of the 600 MW thermal power plant “Stavalj”, which will use high-quality zero-emission coal, the 600 MW reversible hydroelectric power plant Bistrica, and the Novi Sad thermal power plants, she explained, noting that the plants are expected to employ several thousand people.

Mihajlović also emphasized that the government will not sell the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) and the natural gas provider Srbijagas “because they can help drive the development of Serbia".

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