Nuclear ‘artificial sun’ megaproject grows with Russian involvement

More than 30 countries are jointly developing the experimental reactor

Russian energy giant Rosatom is extending its participation in a global nuclear fusion megaproject currently being developed in southern France, the company’s CEO Aleksey Likhachev has said.

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, also dubbed the world’s largest ‘artificial sun,’ is being developed jointly by companies from China, the EU, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US. The project’s goal is to create a safe and almost limitless supply of electricity.

On Tuesday, Likhachev held a meeting with the project’s Director General Pietro Barabaschi, who had arrived in Russia on a work visit. They discussed issues related to Russia’s fulfilment of its obligation to manufacture and supply equipment.

“We are grateful to the ITER leadership, which is demonstrating not just a fair and honest position, but is also keenly engaging and expanding Russia’s participation in this project,” Likhachev told journalists following a meeting which took place at Rosatom headquarters in Moscow.

In turn, Barabaschi described the discussion as “very productive,” saying that “after some difficulties, we are getting now again on track, we have a new plan ahead.”

“Russia’s contribution, like that of all other ITER members, is very important, demonstrating a common commitment to the development of fusion energy that will exist for the benefit of the entire world. This contribution covers all areas – from critical components to key technological innovations,” ITER’s director-general stressed.

ITER was set in motion in 1985, after a summit between then-US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The tokamak is projected to become be the world’s most powerful fusion device, capable of generating large-scale nuclear reactions.

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The multibillion-euro project has faced a series of technical challenges and cost issues over the years, including due to Ukraine conflict-related sanctions.

Russia is a key supplier of 25 sophisticated high-tech systems for the future facility. The delivery of this unique equipment is being carried out on time, in full compliance with the reactor’s construction schedule, according to Rosatom.