FPN15-29

ITER Council Puts Off Approval of New ITER Schedule

November 23, 2015

At its November 17-18 meeting, the ITER Council considered the long-awaited updated construction schedule for the ITER project that was prepared by the ITER Organization with the assistance of the Domestic Agencies of the seven ITER Parties. ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot presented the results of the updated plan that integrated the accumulated delays with the scope, cost and schedule for the project going forward.

According to a press release issued after the meeting (http://fire.pppl.gov/ITER_Council_Press_Release_111815.pdf), the Council "decided to conduct an independent review of the overall schedule and associated resources and to consider possible additional measures for expediting the schedule and reducing costs." The Council "plans to complete these reviews and reach agreement on the overall schedule through First Plasma by June 2016."

The Council approved a schedule and milestones covering 2016 and 2017, including allocation of existing resources to meet these milestones, and the hiring of nearly 150 additional staff.

For additional information visit http://www.iter.org