Press Release: European Commission proposes plan for financing ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for funding the construction of the fusion demonstration reactor ITER. This proposal responds to the conclusions of the Council of 12 July 2010 and aims to secure the financing of this international project as it goes forward.

The Commission proposes redeployment of €100 million in 2012 and €360 million in 2013 from the 7th Framework Programme for Research. It is also proposing an initial transfer of unused funds of €400 million from other EU budgets to the budget financing ITER. A further such transfer will be specified later, with that process beginning in the context of the budgetary conciliation in November.

The revision has been necessary because of substantial overall cost increases for ITER, which have more than doubled the costs for Europe from the initially expected €2.7 billion.

ESO: Background information: ITER http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-iter/

EurActiv, 14.6.10: Funding crisis for nuclear fusion project ITER http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/funding-crisis-for-nuclear-fusion-project-iter-news-495057

BBC News, 28.7.10: Deal finalised on fusion reactor http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10793883

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