AbstractThe NET programme consists of design activities and development of the related technologies. The design effort concentrates in general on those components whose feasibility has to be shown also via prototype testing. Two options for the basic machine have been considered and they are based on the same design solutions and technologies: NET I with 15 MA plasma current and inductively driven burn of about 300 s and NET II with 25 MA current and 700 s inductive burn.The Technology Programme, conducted by the Associated Laboratories, includes six main areas: superconducting magnet, plasma facing components, blanket, remote handling, tritium technology and safety. This programme is closely related to the NET design and aims at supporting, with experimental data, the assessment of the apparatus feasibility envisaged before entering into the engineering design in 1991.