In February 2007, the Swedish government declared that Sweden is offering to be host for the European Spallation Source. Since then, negotiations with other European countries have been in progress.

In June 2007, the Swedish government commissioned Lund University to form a secretariat to work with planning for an international ESS organisation, building up competency and recruiting researchers. In connection with this, the Swedish government appointed Professor Colin Carlile as Head of the Secretariat.

The Swedish government’s declaration of intention was the starting signal for ESS Scandinavia’s negotiations with other European countries. The first phase of the negotiations has been completed and phase two, out of a total of three, has been initiated. The Danish government is also preparing a declaration of intention at the beginning of 2008 relating to its participation in ESS.

Today, the technical preparations and adjustment of the facility’s design to suit the specific conditions in Lund are in progress, parallel to the process of acquiring a permit up until 2009/2010. It is estimated that the construction will be able to commence in about 2010, the first neutrons produced around 2017 and the facility to be in full operation around 2020.