Einstein Telescope in border region step closer
Major steps have been taken to build the Einstein Telescope in the border region of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. This was revealed at the 4th ministerial summit on the project. The Flemish government is already reserving €200 million for the project. In addition, Belgium and the Netherlands support the steps being taken in Germany to definitively earmark funds for the construction of the Einstein Telescope. Finally, it was announced at the summit that the 1rst results of the drilling campaign give the preliminary conclusion that the subsoil in the border area of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany is sufficiently stable and offers opportunities to build the telescope.
Newcomers
That news caused great optimism among the responsible ministers from North Rhine-Westphalia, Belgium and the Netherlands at the Kerkrade conference on the underground telescope.
Following elections and government formation in the Netherlands and Belgium, a number of new ministers in the Netherlands and Belgium are responsible for the Einstein Telescope project. From Wallonia it is Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet, in Flanders it is Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele and from the Netherlands Minister Eppo Bruins, who also hosted.
Commitment in the 3 countries
Ahead of the summit, it was announced that the new Flemish cabinet is already reserving €200 million for the Einstein Telescope. This is good news. Together with the financial reservation in the Netherlands and the extra boost given by Minister Bruins on Prinsjesdag, a total of more than a billion euros is available for the Einstein Telescope in both countries.
Germany is also taking steps for the Einstein Telescope. There, an application is under way to get the Einstein Telescope on Germany's priority list for large scientific infrastructure. This is a necessary condition for a financial contribution. Dutch and Belgian ministers have indicated their support for this proposal.
Drilling campaign: hard rock favourable
A key condition for building the Einstein Telescope is that the soil is suitable for it. To determine that, drilling to an average depth of 300 metres was carried out at 11 locations in the border region of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Not all analyses have been completed yet, but the first preliminary conclusions look good. It was found that the subsurface consists of harder rock layers than initially assumed. This is favourable for building an underground research infrastructure. The analysed data from the drillings have been independently verified by the geological service of TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research). TNO concurs with the research team's conclusion based on these initial findings that there are no factors that would make the project unfeasible.
This drilling campaign and the data collected do not yet say anything about exactly where the 3 vertices for the underground telescope will be. Further geological research is needed for that. In addition, seismic surveys must show that the area is sufficiently noise-free to allow the telescope to measure gravity waves optimally. Furthermore, civil engineering studies must show how the construction of the underground tunnels and vertices is possible. In addition, environmental impact studies will help determine the most suitable location.
Einstein Telescope of great value
The Einstein Telescope will be of great value to science, the economy and society. Studies show that every euro invested will pay for itself twice over, and thousands of additional jobs are expected to be created in the border area of the 3 countries. Both for scientists and professionals in the fields of construction, maintenance and hospitality.
The decision on where to build the Einstein Telescope will be made in 2026. The border region of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium is in the race together, working on the best possible bid book. The Netherlands has €58 million for preparation and a reservation of €870 million for construction.
Quotes from national and regional ministers
Minister Eppo Bruins (OCW) – the Netherlands: ‘Together, we are really another step closer to the Einstein Telescope. The Flemish investment is very good news, and Germany is also taking steps. These agreements and first results of the ground borings mean that the ground under our plan is getting firmer, both literally and figuratively. And that’s good news. Together, we can really give a major boost to science, society and the economy in our countries with the Einstein Telescope.’
State Secretary Thomas Dermine, Belgium: ‘This latest ministerial meeting shows that the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany continue to make significant daily efforts to ensure that the candidacy of the EMR region for the Einstein Telescope is as solid and coherent as possible. The Belgian federal government, whose administration (BELSPO) coordinates the work of the Belgian Task Force, closely monitors the next steps to be taken to ensure that this high-value scientific project is actually realized in the EMR region. The realization of a European project of this caliber will enhance the EMR cross-border region and demonstrate that Europe is at the top of scientific technology in the field of gravitational wave detection.’
Nathanael Liminski, Minister of Federal, European, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery: ‘We are constantly fostering cross-border cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia, the Netherlands and Belgium for the benefit of the people in the region. Of the many areas and projects in which we work together, the Einstein Telescope stands out in particular. Joint cutting-edge research projects send out the signal that we, as Europe, have the confidence to be among the best in the world. The Einstein Telescope has enormous potential, both scientifically and economically.’
Gonça Türkeli-Dehnert, State Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Research of the State of North-Rhine Westphalia: ‘The research landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia, with its many excellent universities and research institutions, is unique in Europe. I am sure that North Rhine-Westphalia and its partners in the Netherlands and Belgium will be the ideal home for the Einstein Telescope.’
Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Wallonia: ‘This project is of great importance for scientific research and European scientific collaboration, but also for the economy of our regions, which is why the new Walloon Government fully supports this bid through the Economy and Industry Department. Most of this project will be carried out under Walloon soil, and the spin-offs will be significant for our regions. In the coming weeks, the Walloon Government will be expanding its project team to maximise the chances of this joint bid by Germany, the Netherlands, Flanders and Wallonia.’
Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele: ‘The Einstein Telescope is a unique ‘Big Science’ project. It links fundamental science, technological innovation, attraction of STEM fields and international appeal. A strong commitment from all governments involved will enable us to actually bring this unique scientific infrastructure to the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. This is why the new Flemish government has already entered an initial reservation of 200 million euros in its budget.’
Deputy Stephan Satijn (Economy, Finance and Business, Public affairs) Province of Limburg (NL): ‘During the ministerial meeting, it became clear that we all want the same thing: to bring the Einstein Telescope to this region. The new ministers are also keeping the Einstein Telescope high on the agenda. With good agreements, we have taken another step forward.’