Inaugurates the ALBA Synchrotron radiation lab
On Monday, the President of the Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the President of the Regional Government of Catalonia, José Montilla, and the Minister for Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia, inaugurated the ALBA Synchrotron radiation laboratory; the largest science infrastructure project ever built in Spain.
Alongside representatives from other authorities, the Councillor for Innovation, Universities and Business of the Regional Government of Catalonia, Josep Huguet, also attended the inauguration.
ALBA is the first Synchrotron Light facility to be built in Spain and is also the first of its kind in south-west Europe. The opening of this facility represents a decisive step forward for the Spanish Map of Singular Scientific and Technological Infrastructures (ICTS) and Spain’s international presence by positioning it (already the world’s ninth most scientifically-productive country) as an outstanding country in terms of large-scale research infrastructures.
ALBA is managed by CELLS, the Consortium for the Construction, Equipping and Operation of the Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, which was jointly set up by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Regional Government of Catalonia in equal parts.
The total budget for the construction phase, from the end of 2003 to 2009, amounted to 201 million euros and was jointly financed by the two authorities.
ALBA will enable Spain to join the select group of countries that make the greatest scientific discoveries and the most important innovations in areas such as material science and structural biology. The construction and equipping of this facility also demonstrates the enormous potential for the so-called “science industry”; a group of innovative sectors that create jobs and generate wealth with an important role in economic recovery and growth. This is an emerging market in Spain whose development is accompanied by significant public investment in R&D and that represents a sizeable source of quality employment and new opportunities for the industry.
Furthermore, the ALBA Synchrotron also represents success for the inter-authority cooperation model that has been developed to support and promote scientific facilities.
The construction phase for ALBA came to an end in December 2009 and the facility will be started up gradually over the course of 2010 to enter full operation in 2011. It is planned for ALBA to initially provide service to some 1,000 researchers every year from then on.
The inauguration of ALBA coincided with one of the main events organised by the Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Spanish EU Presidency: the 6th European Conference on Research Infrastructures (ECRI 2010) that, from Tuesday 23 March to Wednesday 24 March, will discuss mechanisms for supporting and developing the European Research Area through large European infrastructures.
Spain; a model for research
At the inauguration, the President of the Government highlighted that the facility is a demonstration of the fact that Spain is turning the page of the history book, moving on from a chapter in which the country turned its back on science and guaranteeing its position in the scientific first division of European countries.
ALBA has arrived at a significant moment, he said, “when we have just approved new science and sustainable economy legislation”. “This is the most formidable scientific facility in Spain, an excellent show of effective public investment, a demonstration of what taxes are for”, he added.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero also indicated that the facility is a good tool for attracting private investment and highlights the proven capability of Catalonia to implement this kind of initiative.