Towards ITER construction

Following the end of the Engineering Design Activities (EDA) in July 2001, all the essential elements are now available to make a decision to construct ITER. The design has been elaborated to the extent necessary to allow a realistic assessment of its feasibility, performance and cost at a generic site, and R&D has been carried out to underpin the design choices. The project is now entering a phase of preparation for construction which addresses the issues arising from the creation of an ITER Legal Entity (ILE) at a particular site, and prepares for its establishment and formal acceptance of all commitments by host and participating countries during construction, exploitation and decommissioning. In parallel to the development of legal and contractual agreements, this phase will move the project technically from the drawing boards of the EDA Joint Central Team and ITER Parties' Home Teams to a state of readiness for the procurement by industry of the longest lead items, and for formal application for a construction license with the host country.