The ESS Council convened for a hybrid meeting last week, with delegates representing the 13 member states in attendance. This was the 27th meeting of its kind, and the first held at ESS Campus in Lund.
During the meeting, ESS Director General, Helmut Schober, and other members of ESS staff updated the ESS Council on the overall ESS status, covering progress and challenges.
Refining and adjusting to the updated plan
While ESS is in a challenging phase, Council recognised the progress and dedication of ESS staff and partners. They reconfirmed the project plan and instructed ESS to continue implementation. As previously communicated, the 13 member states are in dialogue on the funding for the two-year project extension, 2026-2027.
ESS continues to adjust in line with the updated project plan presented and approved by Council in December 2021, and reported progress on identifying efficiency gains in order to minimise costs, while ensuring success of the project.
The task to deliver a facility with 15 installed instruments and a capability of 2MW of proton beam power, as soon as possible at the lowest reasonable cost, with sufficient cost and schedule contingency, remains, so the facility will open for scientific users in late 2027.
Building handover ceremony
Civil construction works at ESS were completed in December 2021, according to plan. The official handover of buildings from construction partner Skanska to ESS was celebrated during a ceremony at ESS in connection with the meeting, with representatives from ESS Council, Skanska, and ESS staff participating.