International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)

ITER will be the world’s largest experimental fusion facility and is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power for energy purposes.

Fusion research is aimed at developing a prototype fusion power plant that is safe and reliable, environmentally responsible and economically viable, with abundant and widespread fuel resources. Fusion has the potential to play an important role as part of a future energy mix for our planet. It has the capacity to produce energy on a large scale, using plentiful fuels, and releasing no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.

ITER is an important step on the road to fusion power plants. The ITER project, sited at Cadarache in the South of France, is being planned with great respect for the local environment, in keeping with the aim of producing an environmentally benign form of energy. Europe will contribute almost half of the costs of its construction, while the other six Members to this joint international venture (China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA), will contribute equally to the rest.