OREANDA-NEWS. Fusion for Energy (F4E), the organization managing the European Union's contribution to the ITER1 project, has awarded a €530 million contract to a Franco-German consortium consisting of Cofely Axima, Cofely Endel, Cofely Ineo (GDF SUEZ Group) and M+W Group. The ITER international energy research project is being built in France's Bouches-du-Rhone department. The contract covers the design, construction and maintenance of air conditioning, electrical and mechanical installations for 13 buildings, including the Tokamak complex.

The 6-year contract covers the design, engineering, construction and maintenance of heating, air conditioning, electrical (high and low voltage and lighting) and mechanical systems for the site's 13 buildings (97,200 m?), including the Tokamak complex that will house the reactor itself. Instrumentation and control systems, fluid networks, fire detection and prevention systems, and command and control instruments are also included.

Professor Henrik Bindslev, Director of F4E, commented: “This is a major undertaking for Europe, not just because of the size of the contract award, but because European companies will benefit from an unprecedented opportunity to share and acquire know-how that will generate future commercial opportunities.”

Cofely Axima, as the lead agent, Cofely Endel and Cofely Ineo will be involved more specifically in the nuclear portion of the contract, the Tokamak complex, which is made up of three buildings classified as a Basic Nuclear Facility. The complementarity of these companies once more enabled Cofely to make the difference, having already been awarded the contract for the ITER project's building to house poloidal field coils.

This contract bolsters the Cofely companies' strategic positioning as leading designer-installers in the nuclear sector, based on their long-standing expertise, technical excellence in installation, and proven, recognized skills in nuclear safety.

“To take part in the largest international research project in nuclear fusion energy is a source of great pride. This contract symbolizes the complementarity of our expertise and our capacity to position ourselves in the front rank as designer for projects that are among the most complex today,” stated Guy Lacroix, Chief Executive officer in charge of GDF SUEZ Energy Services in charge of Cofely Axima, Cofely Endel and Cofely Ineo.

After a one-year engineering phase, work is scheduled to start in September 2014. Construction will take place over 5 years, with most activity in 2016, involving up to 450 persons. While personnel from the four consortium members will be called first, they alone will not be adequate to meet project needs. A sizeable wave of some one hundred outside hires is planned to assist in the project.