/ins The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and the special-purpose vehicle SKR Spallation AB have signed a 23-year loan agreement of EUR 30 million for the construction of offices and laboratories at the site of the European Spallation Source in Lund, Southern Sweden.

The project is referred to as the ESS Campus, and includes the construction of laboratories and workshops to support the research conducted at the ESS facility. In addition, office premises with up to 450 work places and a canteen for 200 people will be built.

ESS is based on what will be the world’s most powerful neutron source yet constructed and, upon completion, will provide research opportunities in fields such as life sciences, energy, environmental technology, telecommunications and fundamental physics.

Construction of the ESS Campus is scheduled to begin in 2018, and is to be completed in 2020.

“Together with the neighbouring MAX IV synchrotron lab, ESS forms one of the largest research centres in Europe, and will provide research opportunities for up to 5,000 scientists every year. The investment in related infrastructure will enable the efficient operation of the facility”, says Henrik Normann, NIB President & CEO.

The European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS) is a joint European organisation for neutron-based research. Located in Lund, Sweden, ESS will open for researchers in 2023.

SKR Spallation AB is a special-purpose vehicle owned by the real estate developer Skandrenting AB, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.

NIB is an international financial institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The Bank finances private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

For further information, please contact

Mr Tore Emanuelsson, Senior Manager, Origination, at +358 10 618 0244, tore.emanuelsson@nib.int

Ms Lisa-Maria Altenberger, Communications Unit, at +358 10 618 0234, lisa-maria.altenberger@nib.int