Construction of fusion energy test reactor could start in 2007

Construction of fusion energy test reactor could start in 2007

London (Platts)--25May2006

Construction of a large international fusion energy test reactor could begin
in 2007 if governments of the seven participating partners ratify the joint
implementation agreement, as expected, that ITER participants initialed May
May 24 in Brussels.

The agreement outlines participants' costs and responsibilities for the
construction, operation, and decommissioning of the International
Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, that will be built in Cadarache,
France.

Raymond Orbach, the director of DOE's Office of Science, represented the US at
the initialing ceremony. During a teleconference with reporters, Orbach said
the agreement caps US construction costs at $1.1 billion, 80% of which will
involve in-kind contributions. The agreement now will be sent to Congress for
a 120-day review. A burning plasma experiment will be the key focus of ITER's
10-year operations, according to DOE.

Partners in the project are the European Union, China, India, Japan, Republic
of Korea, Russian Federation, and the US.

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