The ITER project

The ITER project aims to build a fusion device, twice the size of the largest current devices, with the goal of demonstrating the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion power. It is a joint project between the European Union, China, India, Japan, South Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA. ITER will be constructed in Europe, at Cadarache in the south of France. The fusion reactor is expected to start operating in 2016.

Introduction to ITER

What are the goals of the ITER project? What does the project cost, and what is the construction schedule? Read more >>

Organisation and location

ITER will be constructed by the ITER International Organisation, which will have its headquarters in Cadarache. The European contribution to ITER is the responsibility of the European Domestic Agency, which will have its headquarters in Barcelona. Read more >>

ITER - the machine

How does ITER work, and what is it designed to do? How will it handle tritium? Who will build what? Read more >>

History of the ITER project

The ITER project started in 1985, during a summit between president Gorbatchov and president Reagan. Read more >>

R&D projects for ITER

In preparation for ITER, seven large R&D projects were carried out by the European fusion community, together with their industrial partners. Read more >>

ITER and EU industry

A large part of the 4.7 billion Euro construction cost for ITER will go to industry, which has to construct most parts of the machine. This makes ITER a first-class business opportunity, and a certain source of high-tech innovation. Read more >>

The role of EFDA

EFDA coordinates the European scientific and technological contribution to the ITER project. It focuses at validating the ITER design, and at making manufacturing methods better and more cost-effective. Read more >>