France chosen to host experimental nuclear fusion reactor

AN INTERNATIONAL consortium chose France yesterday as the site for an experimental nuclear fusion reactor - a €10 billion project that developers hope will one day generate endless, cheap energy by reproducing the sun’s power source and wean the world off fossil fuels.

France beat out Japan to host the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, which is also backed by the US, China, the European Union, Russia and South Korea. Nuclear fusion produces no greenhouse gas emissions and only low levels of radioactive waste.

“This is a great success for France, for Europe and for all of the partners in the ITER,” French President Jacques Chirac said in a statement issued minutes after the announcement in Moscow.