PM Narendra Modi, accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron, on Wednesday visited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in southern France to witness the development of the Earth’s first “mini Sun” that aims to produce nuclear energy on an industrial scale through the nuclear fusion process.
Harnessing the power of nuclear fusion, which powers the Sun and stars, is the goal of ITER as the process is a long-term option for sustainable and non-carbon-emitting energy. India is a key partner in this global programme as it is providing not only 10% of the total cost of the project, but also contributing the biggest component, the refrigerator that houses this unique reactor.
ITER is currently under construction at Cadarache and is expected to create its first plasma in the coming years. When it becomes operational, ITER hopes to be the first large-scale fusion reactor to produce more energy than is used to initiate its fusion reaction.
During the visit, Modi and Macron appreciated the progress of ITER, including the assembly of the world’s largest Tokamak, a magnetic fusion device where ultimately 500 MW of fusion power will be produced by creating, containing and controlling burning plasma. They also appreciated the dedication of ITER engineers and scientists working on the project, a release stated. This was the first visit by any head of state to ITER.
The ITER project was first agreed upon by the US, European Union, Russia, China, India, Japan and South Korea at the Elysée Palace in Paris in 2006. Today, there are 33 countries collaborating on the effort. India is among the seven ITER members contributing to the project over the last two decades. Around 200 Indian scientists and associates, as well as notable industry players such as L&T, Inox India, TCS, TCE, HCL Technologies, among others, are engaged in the ITER project.
Thousands of engineers and scientists have contributed to the design of ITER since the idea for an international joint experiment in fusion was first launched in 1985. The ITER members are now engaged in a decades-long collaboration to build and operate the ITER experimental device.
ITER will start scientific operation in 2034 and will be able to work on deuterium-deuterium plasmas and with full magnetic energy in 2036 — a delay of three years compared to the original plan. Operation with the relevant fusion fuel deuterium-tritium is scheduled to begin in 2039.