The objective of the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER) is to demonstrate integrated physics and engineering on the scale of a power station. To do this, it will produce more energy output than is needed to begin and sustain fusion, demonstrate essential fusion energy technologies in a system integrating the appropriate physics and technology, and test key elements required to use fusion as a practical energy source. Costing over 5 billion Euros, the construction of ITER will involve scientists and engineers from Europe, Japan, Russia, USA, China, India and South Korea working in an unprecedented international collaboration.

Many UK companies, including small, medium and large businesses, have already registered their interest with the Fusion and Industry ITER suppliers database and also with the Fusion For Energy database to help deliver Europe’s ‘in-kind’ contribution to ITER programme. The Fusion and Industry team would like to encourage UK companies who have not yet registered an interest in winning ITER business to visit the ITER website for a description of the technologies and services needed for the project, and then register their interest on the Fusion and Industry ITER supplier’s database.

In total, Europe is expected to deliver 220 contracts made up of 130 fabrication and 90 service contracts worth well over 2 billion Euro over 10 years. These will be large contracts containing a substantial number of sub-contractor opportunities. See ‘ITER Business Opportunities 2007-2009’ Report and Presentations PDFs.

ITER Procurement
Procurement for ITER will be handled by Domestic Agencies within each of the participating parties. In Europe the Domestic Agency, called Fusion for Energy or "F4E", is based in Barcelona.  A preliminary Summary Table of Procurement Allocation between the ITER partners can be downloaded here. See the F4E website for further details: http://fusionforenergy.europa.eu/.

On-going ITER research at CCFE
Within the ITER procurement regime, CCFE is undertaking major research projects to develop specialist plasma diagnostic, neutral beam and RF heating systems for ITER. Depending on how these systems are built, it is likely that CCFE may look for partners in building these systems. Contact the Fusion and Industry team for more details.

ITER Procurement Successes for UK industry
UK companies are already winning important ITER research contracts. You will find details of these on the News page and in 'Fusion Business e-news' in the "presentations and Briefing Materials' area of this web site.

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