India eyes fusion energy,okays Rs2500cr for ITER

With an eye to meet future power needs through fusion energy, India today decided to join the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project by sanctioning Rs 2,500 crore.

The foreign exchange component of the project is calculated at Rs 1,129 crore.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the country's participation in the project and decided to set up an empowered board by the Governing Council of the Institute for Plasma Research for its effective implementation, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said.

Fusion energy refers to a type of nuclear energy generated when two nuclei are fused together to form a heavier nucleus, generating energy in the process. At present, India does not have any fusion energy capability.

India, however, generates around 4000MW nuclear energy through
fission technology, in which an atom is split into parts, thus producing energy

ITER is a joint international research and development project that aims to demonstrate the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion power. The partners in the project are the European Union, Japan, China, India, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and US. ITER project will be constructed in Europe, at Cadarache in the south of France.