ITER fusion reactor: first plasma delayed again

ITER organization spokesman Laban Coblentz

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Originally published: June 18, 2021
Updated: September 15, 2021

By Steven B. Krivit

The first experiments to generate a plasma in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) are no longer to begin in 2025. This is the main conclusion of the ITER Council video conference, which took place on June 16-17, according to an ITER organization employee who was not authorized to record.

The first plasma is no longer expected in 2025; the delay is estimated to be at least one year, i.e. 2026 or 2027. The delay is mainly due to late deliveries of some critical components from several members, particularly the vacuum container sectors in Europe, and partly due to the pandemic.

When the ITER project was approved by its international partners 15 years ago, the organization estimated that ITER would take ten years to build. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in 2007. According to today’s schedule, the construction time will take around 20 years.

A press release released yesterday by the ITER organization summarizing the meeting does not disclose the delay but does indicate the possibility.

“The impact of some technical challenges and the ongoing pandemic will be closely monitored and, after due consideration of all possible mitigation measures, will be further assessed to avoid delays that could affect the timeline for achieving First Plasma,” the organization said.

Bernard Bigot, the director general of the ITER organization, publicly acknowledged the likelihood of delays in a speech at the conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency a few months ago, according to Nuclear Engineering International magazine.

09/15/2021 Update: Original 10-year building estimate added.

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