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 reactor is expected to start operating in 2018.

Introduction to ITER

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

The ITER Organisation

ITER is being constructed by the ITER International Organisation, which has its headquarters in Cadarache. Read more >>

Fusion for Energy

The European contribution to ITER is the responsibility of the European Domestic Agency called Fusion for Energy, which is based in Barcelona. Read more >>

ITER - the machine

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

History and current situation

The ITER project started in 1985, during a summit between General Secretary Gorbachev and President Reagan. Read more >>

Former R&D projects for ITER

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

ITER and EU industry

A large part of the construction cost for ITER goes 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

Up to the end 2007, EFDA provided the European contributions to the ITER project. This role has been transferred to Fusion for Energy on 1 January 2008. One of the main objectives of EFDA is now the coordination of European research to prepare for the operation and exploitation of ITER. Read more >>