ITER: Barcelona hosts European 'Fusion for Energy' body

The European Commissioner for Science and Research, Mr. Janez Potočnik, took part today (28th of June 2007) in a ceremony to inaugurate the headquarters of the new European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy known as Fusion for Energy, based in Barcelona, Spain. This organisation will manage the European contribution to ITER, the Broader Approach Agreement with Japan, and the preparation of the DEMO programme for the first demonstration fusion reactors that can generate electricity.

Official Press Release

The main objectives and activities of 'Fusion for Energy' will be:

• Managing the European contribution to ITER
• To oversee preparation of the ITER site in Cadarache.
• To arrange for European industry to manufacture the components that Europe has agreed to provide.
• To prepare for the exploitation of ITER, i.e., for scientists to carry out experiments in it.
• To support scientific and technological Research and Development.
• To make European staff available to the ITER International Organisation.
• To provide the European Union financial contribution to the project (coming almost entirely from the Euratom budget).
• Any other function expected from a Domestic Agency.

• Contributing to the Broader Approach
  (a number of projects designed to accelerate the development of fusion energy in the context of the Fusion Cooperation Agreement with Japan ; e.g. materials testing, computer models).
• To provide components, equipment, materials and other resources for Broader Approach activities.
• To prepare for and coordinate Euratom's participation in the implementation of Broader Approach activities.
• To support scientific and technological Research and Development
• To provide the European Union financial contribution to Broader Approach activities.
• To make European staff available for Broader Approach activities.
• Any other function necessary to meet Euratom's commitments in the Fusion Cooperation Agreement with Japan.

• Implementing a programme of activities to prepare for DEMO
  (the first demonstration fusion reactor which could be able to generate significant amounts of electricity).

From left: Antoni Castells (Councillor for Economy and Finances, Generalitat de Catalunya), Mercedes Cabrera Calvo-Sotelo (Spanish Minister for Education and Science), Janez Potočnik (Commissioner for Science and Research) and Jordi William Carnes (on behalf of the City of Barcelona)

2nd July, 2007