The contract extension will secure at least €100m in
additional inward investment from the EU over the next
two years.
The news brings reassurance for the more than 500 staff
at site in Culham, near Oxford.
Staff at the Joint European Torus (JET) facility in
Oxfordshire undertake research in the latest
technologies aimed at providing clean, safe,
inexhaustible energy. The new contract guarantees its
operations until the end of 2020 regardless of the EU
Exit situation, and secures at least €100m in
additional inward investment from the EU over the next
two years.
Science Minister said:
Having made my first speech at Culham, I know how
hardworking and dedicated UK Atomic Energy Authority
staff are, which is why I’m pleased to announce
today’s agreement, which is great news for the future
of scientific research in Oxfordshire, the UK and
Europe.
Extending this contract means cutting-edge and
world-leading fusion research can continue in this
country, which I know will be a welcome reassurance
to the hundreds of workers at Culham.
Science has no borders and as we leave the EU, this
kind of international collaboration remains at the
heart of our modern Industrial Strategy to maintain
the UK’s position as a world leader in research and
innovation.
JET is operated by the UK Atomic Energy Authority at
Culham Science Centre, near Oxford. Scientists from 28
European countries use it to conduct research into the
potential for carbon-free fusion energy in the future,
through work coordinated by the EUROfusion consortium
which manages and funds European fusion research
activities on behalf of Euratom.
The future of the facility has been under discussion
since 2017, as its work is covered by the Euratom
Treaty, which the UK Government intends to leave as
part of the process of leaving the EU.
This new contract provides reassurance for over 500
staff at JET, including many from outside the UK. It
also means JET can conduct a series of vital fusion
tests planned for 2020. These tests will serve as a
‘dress rehearsal’ for the new international
experimental fusion reactor, ITER, currently being
built in southern France.
In addition, the contract leaves open the option of a
further extension to JET’s operations until 2024, which
would enable it to support ITER in the run-up to its
launch in 2025.
Prof Ian Chapman, CEO of the UK Atomic Energy
Authority, said:
The extension to the contract is excellent news for
both EU and UK science. JET has been a shining
example of scientific co-operation between EU
members, and this news means that these mutually
beneficial collaborations will continue, allowing us
to do essential experiments on the path to delivering
fusion power.
Prof Tony Donné, Programme Manager of EUROfusion,
added:
A heavy weight has been lifted off our shoulders.
This is extraordinarily good news for EUROfusion and
the European fusion community as a whole. We can now
continue to work on the realisation of fusion energy
together with the indispensable experience of our
British partner.
