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Discharge 2022: European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy (Fusion for Energy)

TA-9-2024-0270 · P9_TA(2024)0270 · PE753.493

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

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Parliament grants the Director of Fusion for Energy discharge for the 2022 budget and approves the closure of the Joint Undertaking's 2022 accounts. In its resolution, Parliament notes the Court of Auditors' finding that the 2022 accounts are fairly presented and the underlying transactions legal and regular. It highlights the estimated EUR 19,1 billion cost to complete ITER delivery obligations, based on 2016 assumptions and expected to be revised. It raises concerns over inflation, Russia's membership of ITER-IO, contract management weaknesses, senior management instability and high use of external staff. It asks the Joint Undertaking to improve transparency on members' contributions and to address open Court observations.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants the Director of Fusion for Energy discharge for the implementation of the 2022 budget.
  2. Parliament approves the closure of the Joint Undertaking's accounts for the 2022 financial year.
  3. Parliament notes the Court found the 2022 accounts fairly presented and the underlying transactions legal and regular.
  4. Parliament underlines the estimated EUR 19,1 billion cost to complete ITER delivery obligations, based on 2016 assumptions and due for revision.
  5. Parliament notes inflation added an estimated EUR 144 million (2008 values) to the cost estimate, expected as extra spending in 2023-2026.
  6. Parliament flags the risk of delays and higher costs from Russia's membership of ITER-IO and calls for mitigation safeguarding Union interests.
  7. Parliament notes the 2022 budget execution rate was 72% in commitments and 91% in payments, down from 2021.
  8. Parliament notes the Court found weaknesses in administrative budget implementation and a high cancellation rate of carried-over commitments.
  9. Parliament notes the Court found senior management unstable, with personnel changes in four of seven senior positions.
  10. Parliament notes the Court found weaknesses in contract management, including a EUR 500 million 2013 contract and unsettled cost claims.
  11. Parliament notes only two of five Court observations from 2019 and 2021 are closed, including on excessive use of external resources.
  12. Parliament asks the Joint Undertaking to disclose members' contributions at programme level and to continue improving transparency.

Who is affected

  • Fusion for Energy: receives discharge for 2022 and must address Parliament's observations.
  • The Joint Undertaking's Director: granted discharge and receives the decision.
  • The Council, Commission and Court of Auditors: receive the decision and resolution.
  • Joint Undertaking staff: affected by management instability, gender imbalance and external staff use.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 19,1 billion (in 2022 values): estimated total cost to complete ITER delivery obligations.
  • EUR 9,2 billion: total payments made up to end of 2022.
  • EUR 9,9 billion (in 2022 values): estimate of future payments.
  • EUR 144 million (2008 values): estimated inflation impact on the cost estimate.
  • EUR 5 614 million (in current values): Euratom contribution to ITER for 2021-2027.
  • EUR 854,49 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 845,45 million in payment appropriations: original 2022 budget.
  • 72% in commitments and 91% in payments: 2022 budget execution rates.
  • EUR 500 million: 2013 contract for ITER nuclear and non-nuclear buildings.

Legal basis: Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.