Fusion for Energy (F4E), representing the European union (EU) together with Spain, Japan, Croatia and Italy, have signed the Multilateral International DONES Agreement (MIDA) to support construction of the IFMIF-DONES facility in Granada (Spain) to test materials for future fusion reactors.
The project is being implemented by the IFMIF-DONES Spain Consortium, established in 2021 through an agreement between the Government of Spain and the Regional Government of Andalusia, and attached to Spain’s General State Administration.
The IFMIF-DONES (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility – DEMO-Oriented Neutron Source) facility will simulate demonstration fusion power plant conditions to test potential structural materials. The level of neutron irradiation planned for demonstration fusion power plants (DEMOs) has never been tested. In order to build DEMOs out of materials that can withstand such harsh bombardment, developers are looking to neutron sources as a way to mimic fusion conditions.
IFMIF-DONES will use a particle accelerator to produce a continuous-wave deuteron (D+) beam aimed at a target made of a liquid lithium curtain. The interaction between deuterium and lithium will generate enough free neutrons to simulate the planned neutron flux over time of Europe’s DEMO, which is being designed by the DEMO Central Team at EUROfusion. Directly behind the lithium target will be the high-flux test module, which will house capsules of material samples for neutron irradiance testing.
The particle accelerator will generate unique experimental data that will also benefit other areas of science and technology, including medicine, nuclear physics, and various industrial applications. The aim of the programme is to develop a database of fusion‐like neutron irradiation effects in the materials required for the construction of demonstration fusion power plants for benchmarking the radiation response of materials.
MIDA provides a legal framework to the international collaboration behind the DONES Programme, establishing the governance, the in-kind and financial contributions, management principles and tools, as well as provisions such as the intellectual property policy.
Building and commissioning IFMIF-DONES will mobilise investments from the parties. Through F4E, the EU will provide 25% of the construction costs, an investment of €202m ($233m). This will include advanced technologies such as the particle accelerator (building on the LIPAc prototype). Spain will be the main contributor, with 55% of the costs along with Italy (8%), Japan (5.1%) and Croatia (5%).
F4E Director Marc Lachaise said the agreement “expresses our commitment to pursue the potential of fusion energy together so that we can offer sustainable power to future generations”. He added: “F4E will support DONES in this endeavour by providing its expertise to deliver part of the project, and offering its vast experience in international fusion projects.”
Spanish Secretary General for Research Eva Ortega noted that, with the signing of MIDA, “Spain is taking on a leading role in fusion research in Europe and worldwide”. She said Spain “is prepared to take on that challenge and is firmly committed to delivering with all the partners in this agreement”.
Angel Ibarra, Director of IFMIF-DONES España described the agreement as “the culmination of years of collaboration, turning vision into reality”. Spain’s 55% commitment reflects its confidence in science and global partnerships. “With construction set to begin imminently, we are building hope and a new energy paradigm for future generations.”
David M Smith, Director of Croatia’s Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI) emphasised that this agreement demonstrates the power of international cooperation to accelerate fusion research. “For the RBI, it is a recognition of Croatian scientific excellence and a further step towards Europe’s leading research infrastructures. We are proud to contribute to building a cleaner and more sustainable energy future together with our global partners.”
Koyasu Shigeo, President of Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum Science & Technology (QST), explained that “together with the ITER project and Broader Approach activities, QST considers the DONES programme to be an important pillar of international collaboration, and QST will promote it in cooperation with the relevant parties”.
Diego Bettoni, Vice President of Italy’s National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN – Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare) said the signing of MIDA “is a crucial milestone for the development of fusion energy.” He added: “Italy, through INFN and ENEA, is proud to be part of DONES, a project that consolidates collaboration with international institutions and leverages their technological expertise in this field.”
The MIDA signing was followed by a meeting of the DONES Steering Committee, with representatives from 17 countries, along with delegates from the European Commission, F4E and EUROfusion. The delegates heard about the progress of the programme including safety, design and procurement arrangements.
