New director for ITER

The ITER Council has appointed Dr Bernard Bigot as the next Director of the ITER Organisation.

At a meeting held in Paris, ITER – a global collaboration project to build the world's largest experimental fusion facility – has announced the distinguished scientist as the new chief.

Before joining the ITER Organisation, Dr Bigot was the Chairman and CEO of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, CEA and the High Commissioner for ITER in France.

ITER is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power. It will be the largest fusion facility dedicated to research aimed at developing a safe, abundant and environmentally responsible energy source.

Dr Bigot said: “The whole world needs innovative technologies to assure its long-term sustainable supply of energy. Magnetic confinement fusion is one of the most promising options. I am deeply honoured for the possibility of contributing to the large, international and ambitious research program that is ITER, which has innovation as its aim. Be assured that I will do my best to meet the expectations of the ITER Members.”

After a slippage in the schedule in 2014, the ITER Council decided to change the direction of the project. Professor Osamu Motojima – the preceding director – began development on the new schedule. Dr Bigot is continuing the development and is planning to establish a new baseline at the ITER Council meeting in November 2015.

“I am pleased by the ITER Council decision to appoint Dr Bigot as the next Director-General and I would like to heartily express my congratulations to him. I appreciated the warm acknowledgement given to me today, and it is my great honour to have the title of Director-General Emeritus conferred on me,” said Professor Motojima.

The ITER Council supported Dr Bigot’s action plan which stresses the importance of delivery of the revised project baseline and agrees with the recommendations of the most recent Management Assessment.