SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Nuclear: ITER makes new magnetic acquisitions

ITER is progressing with the installation of its crucial superconducting coils and magnets, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the nuclear fusion device.

Share:

Avancées Cruciales pour ITER

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

SUBSCRIBE — 99 $ for the 1st year

Create a free account to read this article

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

Six poloidal field (PF) coils will be positioned horizontally aroundITER ‘s vacuum vessel, and D-shaped toroidal field coils to shape the plasma and keep it suspended away from the walls. Fusion for Energy, the European Domestic Agency for ITER, is responsible for procuring the five largest superconducting ring magnets in the project, marking a breakthrough in nuclear fusion.

International manufacturing and delivery

The smallest PF coil, PF1, measuring 9 meters in diameter and weighing 200 tonnes, was produced by Russia under a contract signed in 2011 and delivered to the ITER site in February this year. The PF6 coil, the heaviest of ITER’s superconducting magnets, weighing in at 350 tonnes and with an external diameter of around 11.2 metres, was manufactured by the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a member of the TAC1 consortium.

European advances and assembly

The other four coils – PF2, PF3, PF4 and PF5 – were produced in Europe at the Cadarache site. Because of their large size, these coils are too big to be manufactured off-site and transported to ITER. In April 2021, the first European reel, PF5, successfully completed all manufacturing and testing and was removed from the facility for storage until its installation in September 2021.

Reduced production times and technical expertise

The PF3 coil, one of the two largest ring-shaped coils measuring 24 meters in diameter, marked the culmination of the technical and organizational expertise accumulated since the start of manufacturing. Although 30% larger and wound with 20% more superconducting cable, the PF3 was completed in two years and nine months, saving 15 months on manufacturing time.

ITER continues to push back the boundaries of science and technology. The installation of the poloidal coils underlines the project’s steady progress towards the realization of nuclear fusion as a clean, large-scale energy source.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
The United States Sanctions Greek Shipper for Iranian Oil Trafficking
Metacon confirms partial delivery and receives EUR 14.9 million
Canadian Utilities secures AUC approval for Yellowhead gas pipeline project
China: 25 GW of coal approved in H1 2025, commissioning surges
AP1000 reactor certification extended in the US until 2046
Nano Nuclear partners with Dioxitek to strengthen Argentina’s nuclear supply chain
Nano Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dioxitek, Argentina’s only uranium supplier for nuclear fuel, to assess the development of local conversion and enrichment capacities.
Sweden lifts uranium mining ban to revive nuclear industry
Stockholm plans to restart uranium extraction by lifting the 2018 ban, aiming to secure strategic supply chains and support domestic nuclear electricity production.
CEA considers deploying a small Calogena nuclear reactor in Cadarache
The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
Guidehouse forecasts $8.1 billion revenues for modular reactors by 2034
A Guidehouse Research report anticipates strong growth in the global nuclear modular reactor market, with revenues rising from $375.8 million in 2025 to $8.1 billion in 2034.
Several South Korean groups back $50bn nuclear projects in the United States
KHNP, Doosan, POSCO and Samsung C&T join US partners to develop 5 GW of modular reactors, expand uranium enrichment and build an 11 GW energy complex in Texas.
Washington activates Defense Production Act to secure enriched uranium
The US Department of Energy is creating an industrial consortium to accelerate domestic enriched uranium production and reduce reliance on foreign imports ahead of the Russian supply ban in 2027.
One of the drones from last weekend’s Ukrainian attack struck the Kursk nuclear power plant
The kamikaze drone damaged an auxiliary transformer at the Kursk plant, halving the output of its only reactor in operation, according to Rosatom and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
EDF restarts Gravelines reactors after shutdown caused by jellyfish
The four production units at the Gravelines nuclear power plant, shut down in mid-August by a massive jellyfish incursion, are back online, restoring the site’s full capacity.
enCore Energy completes $115M convertible notes offering
enCore Energy Corp. has completed a $115 million fundraising through convertible notes maturing in 2030, strengthening its financial capacity for upcoming operations.
Vattenfall selects GE Vernova and Rolls-Royce for future nuclear reactors
Vattenfall advances its nuclear project in Sweden by selecting two modular reactor suppliers, GE Vernova and Rolls-Royce SMR, for a potential installation on the Värö Peninsula.
NANO Nuclear Advances to Final Round of US Army’s xTechSearch 9 Competition
NANO Nuclear Energy has been selected to compete in the final round of xTechSearch 9, a US Army initiative aimed at identifying high-potential dual-use technology solutions.
Aalo Atomics raises USD 100 million to launch its first nuclear power plant
Aalo Atomics completes Series B funding, bringing its total to USD 136 million, to build its first modular nuclear power plant dedicated to data centers.
Malaysia Launches Strategic Study on Civil Nuclear Potential
The Malaysian government initiates a national assessment on nuclear energy feasibility, targeting regions facing energy supply constraints and integrating international regulatory requirements.
Premier American Uranium finalizes the acquisition of Nuclear Fuels with Court approval
The merger between Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels reaches a key milestone following final approval of the arrangement plan by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Google and Kairos Power to Build a 50 MW Nuclear Reactor in Tennessee
TVA, Google, and Kairos Power formalize an agreement to connect an advanced reactor to the grid, supporting data center energy growth and reinforcing the U.S. nuclear industry.
X-energy and the Pentagon Accelerate Nuclear Microreactor for National Security
The U.S. Department of Defense has signed an agreement with X-energy to develop a commercial nuclear microreactor intended to power sensitive military infrastructure.
NANO Nuclear Raises $209 Million and Accelerates Microreactor Deployment
With cash reserves multiplied sevenfold in nine months, NANO Nuclear intensifies development of its KRONOS MMR and positions itself in the Canadian and U.S. modular nuclear markets.
Equinix secures 20 Radiant microreactors and a nuclear deal in the Netherlands
Equinix signed a preorder for 20 Kaleidos nuclear microreactors and a letter of intent for a power purchase agreement with ULC-Energy, reinforcing its energy supply strategy for its data centers.
Oklo selected for three pilot projects by U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy selects Oklo and its subsidiary Atomic Alchemy for three pilot reactor projects aiming for criticality before July 2026.
Eleven US companies selected to fast-track small nuclear reactor testing
The United States Department of Energy has selected eleven companies to build experimental nuclear reactors by July 2026, under a programme aimed at meeting rising electricity demand.

Log in to read this article

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

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.

SUBSCRIBE - €99