SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

ITER: New Roadmap, First Phase of Operations in 2035

ITER revises its timetable, aiming for a first phase of deuterium-deuterium fusion operations in 2035, marking a crucial step forward for nuclear fusion.

Share:

Fusion ITER en 2035

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project has unveiled a new roadmap, with the first phase of operations scheduled for 2035. This revision, described by General Manager Pietro Barabaschi as “realistic”, responds to the technical and logistical challenges encountered since construction began in 2010.

Priorities and strategies

The revised project focuses on consolidating tokamak assembly steps and improving pre-assembly testing to minimize risks. The aim is to launch substantial research operations as quickly as possible, reaching technical milestones crucial to the global fusion innovation program.

Impact of Delays

Compared with the 2016 roadmap, which foresaw a first plasma in 2025, the new timeline implies a significant postponement. However, the nature of the project evolved from a low-energy test to a 15-megamp research operation, requiring more complex installations.

ITER objectives

ITER aims to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source. With a target of operating at 500 MW for at least 400 seconds, the project represents a crucial milestone for the international fusion industry, despite the absence of direct electricity production.

Contributions and Partnerships

Thirty-three nations are participating in the construction of ITER, with the European Union covering almost half the costs. The other members (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States) contribute equally to the remainder. Support for the project remains strong despite the challenges, with council members reaffirming their commitment at the 34th ITER Council meeting.

Causes of delays

Delays are attributable to problems inherent in pioneering projects, the COVID-19 pandemic, and manufacturing defects such as cracks in the weld joints of vacuum vessel sectors and corrosion of thermal protection pipes. Despite these obstacles, significant progress has been made, including the manufacture of all toroidal field coils.
ITER remains a flagship project for nuclear fusion research and development, with nations working together to overcome the challenges and ensure the success of this crucial mission for the world’s energy future.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Longroad Energy secures financing for its 400 MW solar project in Texas
Spanish operators warn of saturation in national power grid
US crude oil stocks rise by 3.9 million barrels
Germany urges European Union for more flexibility on 2035 combustion car ban
TotalEnergies confirms imminent investment decision for new LNG train in Texas
IAEA revises nuclear growth forecasts upward through 2050
The International Atomic Energy Agency projects global nuclear capacity to reach 992 GW by 2050, driven by small modular reactors and lifetime extensions of existing plants.
Premier American Uranium targets merger completion with Nuclear Fuels by September 19
Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels have announced a target date of around September 19 to finalise their strategic consolidation, pending final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.
Nuclear energy retained in the European Union green taxonomy
The General Court of the European Union has rejected Austria’s appeal against the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the classification of sustainable investments.
Kazakhstan entrusts German Nukem with oversight of its nuclear back-end
Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Nukem Technologies Engineering Services GmbH to benefit from German expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
European court annuls EU approval of state aid for Hungary’s Paks II nuclear project
The European Court of Justice annulled the European Commission's authorisation of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II nuclear project, questioning compliance with EU public procurement rules.
A CNY4.2bn contract awarded for China’s Xuwei nuclear project
A Chinese consortium has secured a CNY4.2bn ($594mn) contract for the construction of conventional islands for the Xuwei nuclear project, combining third and fourth generation reactors.
Rosatom and CNNC formalise cooperation agreement on nuclear training
Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in talent development and skills training in the nuclear sector.
Iran and IAEA sign technical agreement to restart nuclear inspections
Iran has reached a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to formalise the resumption of inspections, following months of suspension linked to military tensions and criticism of its nuclear programme.
France positions itself on small modular reactors with eleven key recommendations
The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
Nuclearn raises $10.5mn to expand automation in nuclear power plants
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The inner dome of Haiyang 4 reactor successfully installed in China
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
French and Belgian nuclear industry groups sign strategic cooperation agreement
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
IAEA urges Iran to resume nuclear inspections as time runs out
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Westinghouse and EDF reactors deemed viable for Slovenia’s JEK2 nuclear project
Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
Oklo invests $1.7bn in nuclear recycling plant in Tennessee
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
TVA and ENTRA1 seal historic agreement for 6 GW of SMR reactors in the United States
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
IAEA: Iran held 440.9 kg at 60% before Israeli strikes
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
Westinghouse strengthens UK supply chain for nuclear reactors
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear secures $1.25mn contract for KRONOS MMR microreactor
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMRâ„¢ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends two nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom until March 2028
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.