Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Fusion for Energy (F4E), the European Union organisation managing Europe’s contribution to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, on the signing of its largest contract to date.

F4E has been set up to deliver the EU’s contribution to the ITER project. The purpose of the project, the first of its kind, is to construct what will be the largest experimental fusion facility in the world and is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a viable energy source. The project is being supported by Europe, the US, Russia, India, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, collectively representing roughly half of the world’s population.

Norton Rose Fulbright advised on all aspects of the contract, worth in the region of €530 million and signed with Cofely Axima, Cofely Ineo and Cofely Endel, part of GDF Suez Group, and German engineering company M+W Group. The contract is expected to run for six years and will include the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the mechanical and electrical equipment for the Tokamak complex, and the buildings surrounding the complex.

Following the signing of this contract work for the ITER Assembly phase will begin in order to host ITER’s high tech equipment in compliance with strict safety requirements.

Norton Rose Fulbright, led by infrastructure partner Andrew Buisson and construction partner Donald Warnock, advised on all aspects of this contract and has been acting for F4E since April 2011, also advising on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract in excess of €250m for the design and construction of the tokamak reactor hall and associated infrastructure for the fusion reactor complex, and on a €31 million mechanical handling contract,

Andrew Buisson, partner, Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:

“This represents another important milestone for ITER. We are excited to be advising F4E on a project that which has the potential to deliver a brand new source of energy of almost limitless abundance with a minimal environmental impact, and look forward to witnessing the next stage of the project’s development.”