Europe Has Delivered Final Iter Fusion Vessel Section
The delivery marks a major milestone for the international fusion energy project located in Southern France.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Nuclear
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Europe has delivered the final section of the vacuum vessel for the Iter fusion project. This milestone concludes a sixteen-year manufacturing journey involving fifteen companies.
Why it matters
The vacuum vessel provides the essential clean environment required to house the fusion reaction while excluding impurities. It represents a critical component of the massive international facility designed to advance fusion energy capabilities.
The completed vessel will reach a diameter of 19.4 metres and a height of 11.4 metres, with a total weight of approximately 5,200 tonnes. The project utilizes a double-walled stainless steel container to contain the high-energy fusion plasma.
The players
Iter
Iter is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering project currently constructing a large-scale tokamak reactor in Southern France.
Ansaldo Nucleare
Ansaldo Nucleare is an Italian engineering firm that provides services and components for the nuclear energy industry.
Westinghouse Electric
Westinghouse Electric is a United States-based nuclear power company that provides fuel, services, and technology to the global energy sector.
Walter Tosto
Walter Tosto is an Italian-based industrial company specializing in the design and manufacturing of critical components for the energy and chemical industries.
The details
The vacuum vessel was manufactured through a collaborative effort including Ansaldo Nucleare, Westinghouse Electric, and Walter Tosto. The structure will eventually consist of nine sections, with Europe providing five and South Korea providing four.
Timeline
2010: The manufacturing journey for the vessel section began.
2026: The final vacuum vessel section was delivered.
Deeper Dive
The completion of the vacuum vessel is a core structural achievement for the Iter fusion project, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale fusion power. This milestone marks a critical advancement in the global effort to realize sustainable commercial energy through fusion.
The successful assembly of this vessel is a vital step toward creating a controlled fusion environment capable of reaching 100 million °C. This technological progress is essential for proving the viability of fusion as a future clean energy source.
The takeaway
The final delivery of these components highlights the immense scale and collaborative nature of international energy research. Achieving these precise engineering tolerances is a necessary precursor to eventually scaling fusion as a viable power source.
Further reading
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