The UK will contribute £165 million (€198m) to the construction of the European Spallation Source, to be built in Lund, Sweden.
UK science minister David Willetts said during a speech on 11 March that the UK would fund 10 per cent of the €1.8 billion project. “The ESS is one of the highest priorities for new European research facilities,” he said.
In January, an agreement was signed between the ESS and the Isis spallation source in the UK on technical collaboration to cut costs. They will cooperate on data analysis, instrument engineering and research exchanges. “Our membership in the ESS will give UK researchers access to powerful and unique new neutron probes that will complement Isis,” Willetts said.
Host countries Sweden and Denmark, along with Norway, will cover half the ESS costs. Construction is due to begin in the summer, but so far, Spain is the only partner country that has formally agreed to provide funding. France and Switzerland have said they are prepared to sign contracts to contribute to its construction. In total, 17 countries have signed a letter of intent to be ESS members.
“The UK contribution to ESS is very important both financially and intellectually,” said Jim Yeck, director general of ESS. “Access to Isis combined with the experience building and operating a spallation neutron that the UK team brings to ESS adds greatly to the success of the project.”