The awards have acknowledged for the past 19 years actions that impact the region’s economic and social development

The specialised journal Andalucía Económica has recognised IFMIF-DONES, the experimental facility which is expected to be constructed in Escúzar (Granada), as the best strategic project in Andalucía. The award, which demonstrates the increasing social support for the particle accelerator, was given last February 25 at the gala organised by the journal at Museo del Enganche of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz).

Andalucía Económica Awards have recognised for the past 19 years the development of companies and their impact in Andalucía, entrepreneurship mentality, investment in the region, export-oriented activities, protection of the environment, innovation, cooperation with public and private administration, and cities that promote actions for the region’s socioeconomic development. The awards recognise dynamic entrepreneurial actions that boost Andalucía’s economy.

The award ceremony of the XIX Andalucía Económica Awards was chaired by the Mayor of Jerez de la Frontera, María del Carmen Sánchez; the Vice-President of the regional Government, Juan Marín; Counsellor of Finance, Industry and Energy, Juan Bravo; and the President of the Management Board of Andalucía Económica, Tomás de la Cruz. The award was collected by the Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Enrique Herrera, who was accompanied by the technical director of the project and Head of Fusion Technologies Division at CIEMAT, Ángel Ibarra, and the Director of the Office for IFMIF-DONES Implementation of the University of Granada, Antonio Peña.

The aim of IFMIF-DONES is the construction of a neutron source that will enable the development and validation of the materials to be used in future fusion reactors. Such a facility has been identified as essential in the international scope for the development of fusion as an energy source. Spain, through its Ministry of Science and Innovation and the regional government of Andalucía, and in collaboration with Croatia, has put forward its candidacy to bring this facility to Escúzar (Granada, Spain).

The technical development of the project, coordinated nationally and internationally by CIEMAT, takes place within the framework of other projects with national funding (DONES-PRIME project, ACTECA project and DONES-UGR project) as well as international funding (Work Package Early Neutron Source of EUROfusion Consortium and the DONES Preparatory Phase project).