"Work on the ITER is on fast track.We have been able to achieve 12 of the 29 milestones for the project, before the reactor comes live.

Ahmedabad: The world's biggest science experiment and the hugely complex International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a 500 megawatt ITER fusion reactor, being built in Cadarache, in the South of France, will have the first plasma by 2025. But it will be a while before the reactor is used to produce electricity.

India, through the Institute of Plasma Research (IPR), is contributing towards building the reactor's gigantic cryostat, which is the reactor's heart, along with eight other packages involving 14 components, and technology.

Visiting head of communications, ITER, Laban Coblentz said during a press briefing at IPR that India has been one of the most valuable partners among consortium members -- US, China, European Union, Japan, Russia and South Korea -- who have been delivering components on time.

"Work on the ITER is on fast track. We have been able to achieve 12 of the 29 milestones for the project, before the reactor comes live. But it will be a while before Demo reactors are constructed by partnering countries using ITER technology. It will be largely on political will," said Coblentz. Experts at the meeting claimed that it will be 2050 before 'Demo' reactors based on ITER-tech starts producing electricity. IPR director D Bora added that when ITER began in 2006, India estimated its contributions to be worth Rs2,500 crore. "But now a small hike in budgetary allocation has been sought from Union government for the project. All the contributions are in kind," said Bora.

Earlier, Bora presented how IPR scientists were developing complex and cutting edge technologies for ITER. "The diagnostic neutral beam, power transmission and essential cryolines involved in the reactor have been developed by IPR. Presently our ITER-India team members are conducting important research and development work. Coblentz argued that though member countries -involving different cultures -- are contributing to the reactor in pieces, the entire technology will belong to them.

"Each participating country has a lot to gain. Imagine there will be no meltdowns, the fuel source is abundant, which is water. There will be no competition for resources. It's a win win for all," said Bora.

