Countries striving for energy stability and achieving carbon neutrality are increasingly discussing nuclear energy as a possible source of a sustainable and stable electricity supply.
Nuclear energy can complement an energy mix comprising renewable sources by taking the lead in electricity production during periods of unfavorable weather and hydrological conditions, when solar, wind, and hydroelectric plants are unable to generate sufficient power.
However, the world has not yet fully recovered from past nuclear disasters, which raises the question: should we give this energy source another chance? Stefan Aleksić, editor-in-chief of the Nuclear Perspective Portal, addresses this question. He compares the fear of nuclear energy to the fear of flying, although statistically safe, it is perceived emotionally as dangerous.
“The available data shows that nuclear energy is one of the safest forms of energy. And it’s not hard to see why: during operation, a nuclear power plant produces no carbon emissions, the nuclear industry has advanced significantly since the first reactors, and it currently boasts an almost unmatched safety record,” Aleksić explains.
When it comes to countries leading the return to nuclear energy, it is notable that these are mostly Asian countries, with China at the forefront. Our interlocutor highlights that growing economies drive an increasing energy demand, and Asian countries are more frequently and seriously considering nuclear plants and reactors.
“These countries are seriously developing technologies aimed at reducing the cost of building nuclear installations, with figures being mentioned as low as six billion dollars for two reactor units. That is very competitive compared to reactor costs in the West,” says Aleksić. He cites the energy density of nuclear fuel as a key advantage of nuclear power. According to him, a remarkably small quantity of material produces vast amounts of energy – something no other source, not even fossil fuels, can offer.
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He also notes additional advantages: a minimal land area required for construction, low electricity production costs once the plant is operational, and the potential for years of energy independence due to the rare need to refuel. In Aleksić’s view, nuclear energy is not just an energy issue, but also a societal one.
“While it is true that every technology is primarily shaped by the political and economic context in which it arises and develops, some technologies have the capacity to influence those structures in a positive way.
In my opinion, nuclear energy is one of them. To build a nuclear power plant in our country, we would need to develop educational institutions, regulatory bodies, and a culture of safety. Together, these represent steps towards a better society,” Aleksić says. In 2024, Serbia lifted its decades-long moratorium on the construction of nuclear power plants, opening the door to new investments and cooperation with international companies. Aleksić believes lifting the moratorium was the right move, though he argues it should not have been done through the adoption of a new energy law, but rather through the work of relevant institutions. Only once these institutions are actively involved, he says, will public trust in the industry be restored.
Regarding potential locations for Serbia’s first nuclear plant, Aleksić is cautious: “That must be decided by independent experts. As journalists and civil society, we should be creating the conditions for those institutions to function and constantly reminding everyone how vital they are.”
Although modern technologies offer a high level of safety, with multilayered protection systems and automatic safety mechanisms, Aleksić underlines that the greatest guarantee of safety is an independent and competent regulatory framework.
In conclusion, Aleksić leaves a thought-provoking message: nuclear energy is not perfect, but it is necessary. If we want a stable and clean energy mix, we cannot ignore it. And if we do choose to pursue it, we must do so seriously, responsibly, and in an institutional manner.
At a time when the world is facing the pressures of climate change, increasingly unstable markets, and the limitations of renewable sources, nuclear energy is emerging as a cornerstone of energy stability. Whether we as a society have the capacity to wisely and responsibly integrate it into our energy mix remains the question ahead of us.
Prepared by Milena Maglovski
The story was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY
