New Delhi: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a significant new order from the France-based intergovernmental organisation ITER, which oversees the world’s largest nuclear fusion project. The announcement was made in a filing to the stock exchange on Friday.
Advanced Technologies for Vacuum Vessel Assembly
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L&T will deploy critical advanced technologies to assemble ports and complex components within the Vacuum Vessel at the ITER facility located in Cadarache, Southern France. The company stated, “Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has won a new order from the France-headquartered intergovernmental body – the ITER organisation for deployment of critical advanced technologies for assembly of ports & complex parts with the Vacuum Vessel at the world’s largest nuclear fusion project at Cadarache in Southern France.”
Significance of the Project
The project aims to replicate the nuclear fusion process that powers the Sun, creating a large-scale, carbon-free energy source. L&T’s expertise in advanced manufacturing will be central to this endeavour.
MoU for Technical Collaboration
In addition to the order, L&T has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ITER to establish a technical collaboration on this ambitious project. Through the MoU, L&T will assist ITER in developing state-of-the-art technology and pioneering hardware for fusion systems to be installed inside the ITER Tokamak’s Vacuum Vessel, which is crucial for plasma control in fusion energy production.
Role in Complex Construction Tasks
The ITER project involves complex construction and assembly tasks, especially around the Tokamak pit, a vital area within the facility. L&T’s high-tech engineering experience will be instrumental in managing these operations.
Recognition of Past Contributions
Pietro Barabaschi, Director General of ITER, expressed his satisfaction regarding the MoU, stating, “I’m happy to announce the signing of this MoU with Larsen & Toubro. In previous contributions to ITER, L&T has demonstrated its reliability in high-tech manufacturing. This is vital to meeting the technology challenges of the ITER project. I wish to add that India has been a strong partner and contributor to ITER, and we look forward to continued collaboration.”
Previous Achievements and Future Goals
L&T’s association with ITER is longstanding; during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company manufactured and delivered the world’s largest stainless-steel high-vacuum pressure vessel, known as the Cryostat, ahead of schedule. This achievement highlighted L&T’s reliability in high-tech manufacturing, a recognition that continues with this new collaboration.
Anil Parab, Whole-time Director & Senior Executive Vice President of Heavy Engineering and L&T Valves, also commented on the partnership, stating, “L&T and ITER are teaming up to combine their strengths to build the world’s largest Tokamak, to prove the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source, based on the same principles that power the Sun. The technical collaboration will showcase L&T’s capabilities in high-tech manufacturing in global markets.”
