Ferrovial to construct Spain’s groundbreaking fusion materials test facility in Granada

Ferrovial will lead construction of the IFMIF-DONES facility in Granada, a pioneering fusion research centre designed to test materials for next-generation reactors
(Image courtesy of Ferrovial)

Ferrovial has landed the lead contract to build Spain’s first nuclear fusion experimentation centre in Granada. Teaming up with FCC Construction and local firm Añil, they will handle the design and construction of IFMIF-DONES, a unique facility with two particle accelerators that simulate the intense neutron flux inside a real fusion reactor. Those neutrons will bombard test materials to reveal how they hold up under fusion conditions, paving the way for tougher components in future power plants.

The initial phase carries a €174 million budget and focuses on the core infrastructure, with the main building set to come online by late 2029. This is no small feat. IFMIF-DONES stands out as the world’s only setup of its kind, specifically geared toward DEMO-oriented testing. That means it will help engineers qualify materials for the tritium-breeding blankets and structural parts needed in prototype reactors, accelerating the jump from experiments like ITER to grid-ready fusion.

Ferrovial brings serious credentials to the table, having secured eight contracts on ITER over the past 13 years, more than anyone else. Their experience in massive fusion infrastructure makes this a natural fit, and it signals Europe’s growing push to build out the supply chain for commercial fusion. With pilot plants like Type One Energy’s Infinity Two eyeing the 2030s, projects like this one quietly solve the materials puzzle that could make or break the timeline. Engineers in the field will watch closely as Granada becomes a key proving ground.