During the 21st meeting of the ITER Council on 15-16 November, delegates reviewed a package of detailed reports and indicators relating both to the organisational and technical aspects of the project.
Despite the tough schedule for manufacturing components and construction of the installation, as well as the very high technical requirements for the ITER tokamak and auxiliary systems, the implementation of the project is proceeding well, with first plasma still planned for 2025.
Since January 2016, 26 key stages of the project approved by the Council have been successfully passed on schedule. Whenever any key stage showed a slight delay, appropriate measures were taken to remedy the situation. The ITER Council adopted a strengthened set of organisational tools for assessing the manufacture of components, adjustment, assembly and construction of the facility. ITER estimates that completion of parts for the first plasma to be 61% complete, and the development of buildings 49% complete.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power and will be the world’s largest experimental fusion facility. Europe contributes almost half of the costs of its construction, which has previously put it at around €15bn ($17.6bn). China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the USA all contribute equally to the remaining costs.
Photo: Meeting of the 21st ITER Council (Credit: ITER Organization)
