In October 2009 the ESS Steering Committee held its first meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. On that meeting the decision was made to enter the Pre Construction Phase and start the Design Update.

The Pre Construction Phase consists of the Design Update and the parallel process to acquire the permits needed for construction. The Pre Construction Phase will end in 2013 when the Construction Phase commence.

In 2019 the facility will be operational with 7 instruments. That is the beginning of the Completion Phase. During the completion phase the rest of the instruments will be set up and the facility will be fully operational in 2025.