"The biggest thing ever in Swedish research"

Late in the evening the 28th of May, after four hours of discussion, it stood clear that ESS will most certainly be placed in Lund.

– With this support we are now as close as one can come to 100% sure, says Lars Leijonborg, Sweden's Minister of Science, to Sydsvenskan. Sweden now have a green light to with force go on developing ESS. This will be the biggest thing ever in Swedish research.

Øresund collaboration – a way to success
The race was between Hungary, Spain and Sweden - where the Scandinavian bid always have been the scientifically strongest one. The other two countries has focused more on economical offers.

But in the beginning of April the Danish Minister of Research, Helge Sander, signed a deal stating that Denmark will help finance the project with 2 billion SEK. At the same time it it was told that much of the data from ESS will be processed at the Niels Bohr institute in Copenhagen.

– A danish-swedish collaboration, close to Kastrup, speaks greatly in favor for ESS in Sweden, Lars Leijonborg said at the time.

ESS will become a multi-scientific facility for advanced research and industrial development. More than 300 researchers from 11 countries have taken part in the planning, which has lasted about 15 years. ESS is estimated to bring 500-600 jobs to the region and to have around 6000 visiting researchers each year.

More information

Here is a short presentation of ESS:

• ESS Scandinavia homepage
• Sydsvenskan about ESS (in swedish)
• Berlingske about ESS(in danish)