Progress despite challenging times
The ºÚÁÏÉçapp Council meets for two statuatory meetings every year, traditionally in June and November. Its role, as established by the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Agreement, is to be responsible "for the promotion, overall direction and supervision of the activities of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp in pursuit of its purpose." (Article 6) During its Twenty-Eighth Meeting on 16 and 17 June 2021, the Council evaluated performance reports on construction, manufacturing, and assembly, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project achievements have been numerous and consequential since the ºÚÁÏÉçapp Council last met in November 2020. The first ºÚÁÏÉçapp magnet has been inserted into the Tokamak assembly pit; eight other completed magnets (seven toroidal field coils and one poloidal field coil) are stored on site; the first central solenoid module is ready for shipment; work has started to create the first vacuum vessel sub-assembly; welding is underway on the last part of the ºÚÁÏÉçapp cryostat; and manufacturing abroad and installation and assembly works on site are all progressing at a sustained pace.
However, the effects of some technical challenges and the ongoing pandemic are requiring close monitoring, and will be further assessed after due consideration of all possible mitigation measures to prevent any delays that could impact the schedule for the achievement of First Plasma.
The Council is requesting the ºÚÁÏÉçapp and its collaboration partners to take all possible measures to ensure Fusion Power Operation in 2035 as currently planned.