Building on renewed confidence achieved through the past 18 months of sustained strong performance in construction and manufacturing, the updated 2016-2035 schedule reflects the consensus and integrated efforts of the ITER Organization and the seven Domestic Agencies.
The overall project schedule was approved by all ITER Members, and the overall project cost was approved ad referendum, meaning that it will now fall to each Member to seek approval of project costs through respective governmental budget processes.
The Council stressed that the successful completion of all 19 project milestones for 2016, on time and on budget, provides tangible evidence of full adherence to commitments by all Members. These milestones had been approved by the ITER Council
one year ago as a way to track project momentum while discussions were underway on the long-term schedule.
The updated schedule through Deuterium-Tritium Operation (2035) selects a "staged approach" after First Plasma as a way to increase confidence and minimize risk. In the staged approach to assembling ITER, assembly phases will alternate with periods of operation.
Read the full press release in English or French.
View the photo gallery from the Nineteenth ITER Council (IC-19) below.