Contact:
Mag. My Hue McGowran
Phone: +43-1-81140-308
E-Mail: mcgowran@newsfox.com
| Pressbox | 
|
Moscow (pte023/29.06.2005/11:57) - France has won its bid to host the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor. The six parties - EU, US, Russia, Japan, South Korea and China taking part in the project - were present at the ceremony in Moscow.
"Under this declaration, France is chosen as the site," European Union spokeswoman Antonia Mochane said.
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) http://www.ofes.fusion.doe.gov/iter.html will be situated at Cadarache in southern France. French President Jacques Chirac was 'delighted' about the decision.
Issues about financing are still to be resolved but in keeping with earlier discussions, the EU would take over 40 per cent of the costs, France 10 per cent, with the remaining costs shared by the other nations.
Japan, who lobbied for ITER to be situated in Rokkashomura and lost, will host the main materials research facility, where 40 top scientists/researchers will work and will make up 20 per cent ITER'S work force.
Nuclear fusion usually involves the fusion of two hydrogen atoms to produce helium. Current nuclear plants use fission - splitting atoms. The idea behind the ITER project is to use nuclear fusion power as cleanly and safely as possible, creating an almost infinite supply.
Following construction of the site, the project is expected to last about 30 years, testing for things such as safety, health and waste management and usability.
(end)
|
|
