Fusion for Energy (F4E), the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy, celebrates its 10th anniversary this week. F4E was established to provide the European contribution to the ITER project by an international partnership composed of Euratom, US, Russia, China, India, Korea and Japan that is looking for an abundant low carbon energy source. The project partners jointly represent two-thirds of the world’s population and over 80% of global GDP.
The ITER project aims to build the largest fusion machine in the world in order to verify the feasibility of fusion as a sustainable energy source. The construction of the project has significantly accelerated after major changes in its management in 2015, and has by now crossed the half-point towards physical completion. Agreements for nearly 90% of all deliveries have been concluded between the ITER project management and ITER members.
To deliver on Europe’s commitments to the project, F4E has so far concluded contracts with over 400 European companies and 60 scientific and research entities for a total of some EUR 4 billion. F4E’s direct contractors are located in more than 20 EU countries. While about 50% of the value of the planned European contribution to ITER has already been contracted, the project offers many further opportunities for European companies in the coming years in various high-tech areas and high added value industry sectors.
European Commissioner for Climate and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete will give a speech at a celebration event organised on Thursday 30 November in Barcelona, the seat of F4E. Some 500 participants are expected to join the celebrations, including the Spanish Minister of State Carmen Vella and the Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau, as well as representatives of companies working closely with F4E on the ITER project.
