Press release
03 July 2012
Ministry of Education and Research
Expert group full of praise for European Spallation Source
Sweden is doing a very good job as host of the European Spallation Source (ESS) research facility. This was announced by an independent expert group today.
The Government today received a report from an international expert group that has evaluated the work done in planning the massive ESS research facility in Lund.
The report has been produced to determine whether the project is ready to move out of the planning phase and into the construction phase, which is scheduled to begin at the start of 2013.
The expert group comprised Professor John Wood from the United Kingdom, Dr Thom Mason from the United States and Dr Wolfgang Meissner from Germany all three with experience of major infrastructure facilities such as the ESS. They have reviewed the project very closely and have issued a very positive statement. They believe that the project is well run and the tight timeframe can be met.
"The ESS will make the region a world-leading centre for scientific research. Naturally, it is very pleasing that prominent experts believe that Sweden is doing its job well," says Minister for Education Jan Björklund.
The report is an important basis when negotiations with the 17 partner countries on the funding of the project enter the final stage in the autumn.
Facts: The European Spallation Source
European Spallation Source (ESS) is a European research facility to be built in Lund. Sweden was selected as the host country in 2009 in competition with other countries and is the co-host with Denmark. To date, 17 countries have committed to taking part in the project. The facility is estimated to cost SEK 15-20 billion. Technical preparations are under way and construction is scheduled to begin in 2013.
Contact
Eva-Marie BybergPress Secretary to Jan Björklund
+46 8 405 25 03
+46 70 188 65 55
email to Eva-Marie Byberg
