Brussels, Sept 25: European Union nations on Monday
endorsed a pact to build an experimental fusion reactor with
the aim of developing a cheaper, cleaner, safer and endless
energy source.
Six other nations -- the United States, India, China,
Japan, South Korea and Russia -- also aim to ratify the
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER,
fusion energy project this year so that work can start in
2007 on the 35-year project.
Officials said the experimental reactor -- to be located
in Cadarache, in the southern French region of Provence --
will take around eight years to build.
The EU is to foot half of the euro10 billion (USD 12.8
billion) cost of the reactor with the others chipping in
around 10 percent each.
The six nations and the EU hope the new technology will
help them move away from the global dependency on fossil fuels
and nuclear power.
Fusion reproduces the sun's power source and produces no
greenhouse gas emissions and only low levels of radioactive
waste.
If all goes well with the experimental reactor, officials
hope to set up a demonstration power plant in Cadarache around
2040.
Officials project that 10 percent to 20 percent of the
world's energy could come from fusion by the end of the
century.
However environmental groups slammed the project, saying
there was no guarantee that billions of euros spent would
result in a commercially viable energy source.
Bureau Report
