India played a critical role in helping complete the main magnet system of ITER—the world’s largest nuclear fusion project. ITER aims to demonstrate fusion energy as a safe, carbon-free, and nearly limitless power source. India is playing a critical role in designing and building key components like the cryostat, cryolines, and heating systems.
Key Highlights
Main achievement:
- Completion of ITER’s Central Solenoid (main magnet) system.
- The sixth and final module of the magnet, built and tested in the USA, will be assembled at the ITER site in southern France.
The Central Solenoid:
- Drives plasma inside the Tokamak reactor.
- Strong enough to lift an aircraft carrier.
- Acts as the electromagnetic heart of the fusion reactor.
Purpose:
- ITER’s Tokamak will show that nuclear fusion (energy of Sun & stars) can be used safely on Earth.
- Aims to produce 500 megawatts (MW) of fusion power from 50 MW input—achieving “burning plasma” (self-sustaining fusion).
India’s Key Contributions
- Designed & manufactured the Cryostat: World’s largest vacuum vessel (30m tall, 30m wide) housing Tokamak.
- Built cryolines to carry liquid helium at -269°C to cool superconducting magnets.
- Delivered:
- In-wall shielding
- Cooling water systems
- Key parts of plasma heating systems (to heat plasma to over 150 million °C—10x Sun’s core).
What is Fusion Energy?
- Fusion combines hydrogen atoms to form helium, releasing vast energy while Fission (used in current nuclear plants) splits atoms and produces radioactive waste.
- Since Fusion hydrogen atoms at extreme temperatures to release energy there is no long-lived radioactive waste or carbon emissions (unlike nuclear fission).
- Fusion Benefits:
- Clean and carbon-free
- Virtually limitless
- No long-lived radioactive waste
- No meltdown risks
About ITER
| Aspect | Details |
| Name | ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor); It is one of the largest and most complex scientific collaborations in history. |
| Location | Southern France |
| Objective | Demonstrate nuclear fusion at industrial scale; Prove that nuclear fusion can be a safe, carbon-free, large-scale energy source on Earth |
| Planned Output | 500 MW from 50 MW input |
| Key Technology | Tokamak reactor + Central Solenoid magnet |
| Global Partnership | 7 members: India, EU, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA |
Not for power generation: ITER is a research facility, to test fusion at scale & generate data for future commercial fusion plants.
International Cooperation
- Europe funds 45% of cost (as host).
- India, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, USA contribute ~9% each.
- All members get full access to research data, technology, patents.
Scale of Project
- Over 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets.
- Built using 100,000 km of special wire.
- Involves thousands of scientists & engineers from 3 continents.
Next Steps:
- Ongoing assembly of components from multiple countries.
- Knowledge-sharing with private sector to accelerate fusion innovation.
- Commercial fusion reactors planned in future based on ITER’s data.
Why It Matters?
- Offers clean, safe, limitless energy without carbon emissions.
- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels & radioactive waste-producing technologies.
- Shows possibility of global cooperation for peaceful scientific progress.
Key Takeaways
| Full form of ITER | International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor |
|---|---|
| India’s major contribution | Cryostat, cryolines, in-wall shielding, cooling & heating systems |
| Magnet strength | Strong enough to lift an aircraft carrier |
| Reactor type | Tokamak |
| Planned fusion output | 500 MW from 50 MW input |
| Plasma temperature | >150 million °C |
| Host country | France |
| Funding share (India) | ~9% |
| Funding share (Europe) | 45% |
| No. of member countries | 7 |