A summary of recent fusion energy news stories presented by young fusion researchers. Keep up to date with all the recent news in the industry in this one easy, fortnightly package. And look out for the bonus "Extra" deep-dives. Fusion News is also available as a video version for those who like pictures: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQSc-BFbCpFJjhZldM3BOcQ
Carli Smith, fusion researcher at Kyoto Fusioneering, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Fusion industry funding hits an annual record https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/global-fusion-energy-annual-investments-hit-record-nearly-45-billion-2026-07-13/ 2. General fusion makes history in the stock market https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/13/investors-send-general-fusion-soaring-in-debut-as-first-publicly-traded-fusion-company/ 3.Quantum computers make headway in solving fusion’s fuel problem https://phys.org/news/2026-07-quantum-fusion-fuel-material-configurations.html 4. Inertia opens world’s first fusion factory to commercialize inertial confinement fusion https://www.axios.com/pro/climate-deals/2026/07/13/inertia-fusion-facility-livermore Bonus stories: General Atomics Secures California Tax Credit for San Diego Fusion Blanket Test Facility https://newatlas.com/energy/general-atomics-test-key-fusion-reactor-component/
Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. US fusion startup makes history by converting plasma energy directly into electricity https://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-nuclear-fusion-makes-history 2. UKAEA and Eni launch RH3OVA to advance fusion industry https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukaea-and-eni-launch-rh3ova-to-advance-fusion-industry 3. General Fusion targets Italy https://www.neimagazine.com/news/general-fusion-targets-italy/ Bonus stories: 2026 Fusion Industry Association supply chain report https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-launches-2026-fusion-industry-supply-chain-report/
Adrian Carrillo, Master's Student at the University of Washington focusing on computational plasma physics, gives today’s global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. UK and Japan deepen fusion cooperation with new agreement https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-japan-fusion-partnership-strengthened-by-ukaea-and-qst 2. Helion clears key regulatory milestone for Orion power plant https://www.helionenergy.com/newsroom/helion-clears-key-regulatory-milestone-on-the-path-to-building-and-operating-the-worlds-first-fusion-power-plant 3. First Light Fusion recreates orbital impact velocities in Texas tests https://firstlightfusion.com/media/first-light-fusion-successfully-recreates-orbital-impact-velocities-at-texas-am-engineering-experiment-station/ 4. Energy Department Releases Finalized Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap to Accelerate Commercial Fusion Power https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-releases-finalized-fusion-science-and-technology-roadmap-accelerate Bonus: How fusion is powering UK prosperity – Episode 5: First Light Fusion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLNTcdlQoAo Interview with SHINE: A Revenue-Backed Roadmap on the Path to Fusion (FusionX:Americas) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGISpdJDwTM
Jasmine Mund, mechanical design engineer with a key interest in the fusion industry, gives this week’s global Fusion News update. As always, links to the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Record funding for European fusion https://www.neimagazine.com/news/record-funding-for-european-fusion/ 2. The world’s largest privately owned laser just turned on https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/03/the-worlds-largest-privately-owned-laser-just-turned-on/ 3. Thea Energy Raises $100 Million in New Funding to Advance Fusion Technology https://www.powermag.com/thea-energy-raises-100-million-in-new-funding-to-advance-fusion-technology/ 4. Commonwealth Fusion Systems says papers validate its quest to generate power https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/commonwealth-fusion-says-papers-validate-its-quest-generate-power-2026-06-04/ 5. Helion hits $15.5B valuation with $465M in new cash as it aims to commercialize fusion this decade https://www.geekwire.com/2026/helion-hits-15-5b-valuation-with-465m-in-new-cash-to-commercialize-fusion-this-decade/#:~:text=Helion%20Energy%2C%20a%20startup%20racing,now%20valued%20at%20%2415.5%20billion. Bonus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTH0kJ6dSaE https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/02/pacific-fusions-latest-prototype-packs-440-gigawatts-into-an-80-nanosecond-burst/ https://interestingengineering.com/energy/nuclear-fusion-durability-breakthrough-scan https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/iter-magnet-test-facility-begins-operation https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/world-first-floating-fusion-reactor-powered-vessel
Adrian Carrillo, Master's Student at the University of Washington focusing on computational plasma physics, gives today’s global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. CFS announces an agreement with Singapore's A*STAR to develop technologies for commercial fusion devices https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/worlds-largest-nuclear-fusion-firm-partners-astar-to-develop-commercial-power-plant-tech 2. Thea Energy Announces Successful Operation of Full-Scale Planar Shaping Coils https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/13/3293984/0/en/Thea-Energy-Announces-Successful-Operation-of-Full-Scale-Planar-Shaping-Coils.html 3. NIF researchers project over 10x increase in fusion yields after planned laser energy upgrade https://www.aip.org/scilights/a-look-back-at-over-a-decade-of-inertial-confinement-fusion-experiments https://pubs.aip.org/aip/pop/article/33/5/050503/3391665/Key-metrics-of-progress-in-the-NIF-ignition 4. Xcimer Energy Builds Leadership Team for Industrial Fusion and National Security Applications https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260512727044/en/Xcimer-Energy-Builds-Leadership-Team-for-Industrial-Fusion-and-National-Security-Applications Bonus stories: https://www.axios.com/2026/05/22/fusion-energy-simpler-federal-review?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosgenerate&stream=top https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-submits-response-to-nrcs-proposed-rulemaking-and-draft-guidance-for-us-fusion-regulations/ https://www.avalanchefusion.com/machines/lando https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/05/20/nuclear-fusion-without-massive-land-use-huge-fuel-costs.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSmSVYm0eT4 https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-joins-eu-s-nuclear-fusion-push-europe-looks-energy-security
Carli Smith, fusion researcher at Kyoto Fusioneering, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. British-US consortium aims to build UK fusion plant https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/british-us-consortium-aims-to-build-uk-fusion-plant 2. Grid connection requested for US fusion power plant https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/grid-connection-requested-for-us-fusion-power-plant 3. European Fusion and Industrial CEOs Call for a EU Fusion Strategy That Ensures Energy Security https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/european-fusion-and-industrial-ceos-call-for-a-eu-fusion-strategy-that-ensures-energy-security/ 4. ITER Magnet Milestone Tests Fusion’s Construction Supply Chain https://www.enr.com/articles/62975-iter-magnet-milestone-tests-fusions-construction-supply-chain Bonus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsOF-D5Lyvw
Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. The ‘dumb machine’ promising a clean energy breakthrough https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvm11xrn6o 2. UKAEA backs First Light Fusion in £25m funding round https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/first-light-fusion-raises-25m-for-commercial-fusion-push 3. US firm to scale laser-based fusion ‘breakthrough’ with new partnership https://interestingengineering.com/energy/laser-nuclear-fusion-moves-to-private-sector 4. $95M Tokamak Energy deal moves UK closer to building a fusion power plant https://interestingengineering.com/energy/uk-fusion-tokamak-energy-magnet-contract Bonus: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69e87bd8d36883a64473b7ec/ukaea-strategy-2026-2030.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3AK_yi-Hww
Abdus Shaik, PhD student at Imperial College, London, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. ARPA-E Announces Record $135M Investment in Fusion Energy https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/arpa-e-announces-record-135m-investment-in-fusion-energy/ 2. The Genesis Mission: How AI Supercomputing Is About to Reshape American Science and Energy https://www.powermag.com/the-genesis-mission-how-ai-supercomputing-is-about-to-reshape-american-science-and-energy/ 3. Realta Fusion secures HTS magnet supply https://www.ans.org/news/2026-04-06/article-7910/realta-fusion-secures-hts-magnet-supply/ 4. How nuclear batteries could speed the race to fusion power https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/how-nuclear-batteries-could-speed-the-race-to-fusion-power/ 5. World’s First Fully HTS Tokamak Sets Fusion Duration Record in Shanghai https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/worlds-first-fully-hts-tokamak-in-shanghai-holds-steady-operations-for-1337-seconds 6. The materials that make fusion possible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgHB0NLfj4c
Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. UK fusion strategy revealed https://www.neimagazine.com/news/uk-fusion-strategy-revealed/ 2. OpenAI in Talks with Helion to Secure Fusion Energy https://www.powermag.com/openai-in-talks-with-helion-to-secure-fusion-energy/ 3. EU to invest €330 million to accelerate fusion energy and support nuclear technologies and skills https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_651 4. Novatron advances Nordic fusion plans https://www.neimagazine.com/news/novatron-advances-nordic-fusion-plans/#:~:text=Novatron%20Fusion%20Group%20has%20partnered,commercial%20fusion%20deployment%20around%202040 . Bonus: https://www.the-independent.com/tech/nuclear-fusion-rocket-plasma-pulsar-b2945974.html https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-hosts-2026-annual-policy-conference/
Adrian Carrillo, master’s student at the University of Washington, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below: 1. Advancing fusion energy: Innovative breeding blanket designs at KIT https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/advancing-fusion-energy-innovative-breeding-blanket-designs-at-kit/67336/ 2. First Light validates tritium breeding https://www.neimagazine.com/news/first-light-validates-tritium-breeding/ 3. US takes step to solidify rules on fusion energy https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-takes-step-solidify-rules-nuclear-fusion-energy-2026-02-26/ 4. The Hidden Technology That Could Finally Make Fusion Power Work https://scitechdaily.com/the-hidden-technology-that-could-finally-make-fusion-power-work/ Bonus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWhbrRVwS-M https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-annual-conference-2026/
Carli Smith, fusion researcher at Kyoto Fusioneering, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Fusion Startup Claims Major Advance in New Zealand Trial https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-17/nuclear-fusion-startup-claims-major-advance-in-new-zealand-trial 2. China has just broken a barrier that physicists believed to be unbreakable for decades, and its 150 million-degree artificial sun could bring us closer than ever to the energy of the stars https://www.ecoticias.com/en/china-has-just-broken-a-barrier-that-physicists-believed-to-be-unbreakable-for-decades-and-its-150-million-degree-artificial-sun-could-bring-us-closer-than-ever-to-the-energy-of-the-stars/27313/ 3. Japan fusion startup completes ‘one-of-a-kind’ coil manufacturing machine https://interestingengineering.com/energy/japan-fusion-startup-completes-coil-manufacturing 4. Proxima Fusion seeks €2 Billion to build a nuclear fusion test facility https://thenextweb.com/news/proxima-fusion-seeks-e2-billion-to-build-a-nuclear-fusion-test-facility Bonus: https://biztimes.com/new-wisconsin-consortium-will-grow-states-fusion-energy-ecosystem/ https://www.neimagazine.com/news/ukaea-backs-fusion-tech/
Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. Fusion Startup Raises $450 Million in Bid to Make Power Using World’s Biggest Lasers https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-11/nuclear-fusion-startup-raises-450-million-to-make-power-with-lasers 2. Who Will Be First To Unlock Nuclear Fusion? https://www.forbes.com/sites/drewbernstein/2026/02/12/who-will-be-first-to-unlock-nuclear-fusion/ 3. Pacific Fusion finds a cheaper way to make its fusion reactor work https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/05/pacific-fusion-finds-a-cheaper-way-to-make-its-fusion-reactor-work/ 4. Fusion startup Helion hits blistering temps as it races toward 2028 deadline https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/fusion-startup-helion-hits-blistering-temps-as-it-races-toward-2028-deadline/ Bonus: https://stepfusion.com/step-fusion-milestone-remountable-magnet-technology-passes-major-tests/ https://bluedotliving.com/can-fusion-energy-really-power-the-future-with-alex-creely-commonwealth-fusion-systems/
Abdus Shaik, PhD student at Imperial College, London, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. General Fusion to go public in US via $1 billion SPAC deal https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/general-fusion-go-public-us-via-1-billion-spac-deal-2026-01-22/ 2. EU lawmakers back declaration urging the bloc to lead in commercial fusion energy https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/01/27/eu-lawmakers-back-declaration-urging-the-bloc-to-lead-in-commercial-fusion-energy 3. UKAEA spinout to develop ‘high-power’ microwaves for fusion https://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/ukaea-spinout-to-develop-high-power-microwaves-for-fusion/ 4. UT To Partner with ORNL, Type One Energy on World-Class Facility to Validate Next-Gen Fusion https://research.utk.edu/oried/2026/01/21/ut-to-partner-with-ornl-type-one-energy-on-world-class-facility-to-validate-next-gen-fusion/ 5. Drone test flights prove possibilities for use in fusion https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/drone-test-flights-prove-possibilities-for-use-in-fusion Bonus: https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-annual-conference-2026/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDh59_PK_oc
Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. EAST breaks fusion density limit https://www.neimagazine.com/news/east-breaks-fusion-density-limit/ US energy company installs first fusion magnet, nears clean power breakthrough https://interestingengineering.com/ces-2026/us-firm-first-nuclear-fusion-magnet AI speeds UK fusion tokamak design by 100,000 times https://channellife.co.uk/story/ai-speeds-uk-fusion-tokamak-design-by-100-000-times Thea Energy’s fusion pilot plant preconceptual design certified by U.S. Dept. of Energy https://www.roi-nj.com/2026/01/13/industry/energy-utilities/thea-energys-fusion-pilot-plant-preconceptual-design-certified-by-u-s-dept-of-energy/ Why is Truth Social owner Trump Media merging with a fusion energy firm? https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/19/trump-media-tae-technologies-energy-merger Bonus: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3x7pz28mo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inDGDyz3MNE https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-annual-conference-2026/
A compilation of the top Fusion News stories from 2025, plus an overview of the year's major industry and policy advances by FIA CEO Andrew Holland. Thanks for tuning in with us all year! We look forward to covering more milestones in 2026.As always, links to the stories covered are included below.Late-breaking news: TAE Technologies merges with TMTGhttps://tae.com/trump-media-and-technology-group-to-merge-with-tae-technologies/Top stories of 2025:Laser-powered fusion experiment more than doubles its power outputhttps://techcrunch.com/2025/05/17/laser-powered-fusion-experiment-more-than-doubles-its-power-output/(Covered by Jeff on May 28)Google buys fusion powerhttps://www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/google-buys-fusion-power/(Jasmine, July 23)Helion Energy starts construction on nuclear fusion plant to power Microsoft data centershttps://www.reuters.com/business/energy/helion-energy-starts-construction-nuclear-fusion-plant-power-microsoft-data-2025-07-30/(Cyd, August 6)Commonwealth Fusion Systems Raises $863 Million Series B2 Round to Accelerate the Commercialization of Fusion Energyhttps://cfs.energy/news-and-media/commonwealth-fusion-systems-raises-863-million-series-b2-round-to-accelerate-the-commercialization-of-fusion-energy(Abdus, September 3)Germany bets billions on nuclear fusion for energy futurehttps://www.dw.com/en/nuclear-fusion-germany-bets-billions-on-technology-for-energy-future/a-74522109(Abdus, November 12)
December 10, 2025 Adrian Carrillo, master’s student at the University of Washington, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below: 1. TAE Technologies and UKAEA partner to commercialise fusion tech https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tae-technologies-and-ukaea-partner-to-commercialise-fusion-tech 2. Completion of Conceptual Design for the Fusion Energy Demonstration Project "FAST" https://kyotofusioneering.com/en/news/2025/11/27/3586 3. World's biggest fusion device adds over 1,200-ton module in major progress https://interestingengineering.com/photo-story/worlds-biggest-fusion-reactor-new-module 4. US lab reveals how fusion fuel capsules perform under sun-like heat https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2025-11-26-ideal-fusion-fuel-target-doesnt-exist-yet-researchers-slac-are-trying-change Bonus: Kyoto Fusioneering and Shimadzu Corporation Jointly Develop a Prototype of a Turbomolecular Pump Designed for Operation in Tritium Environments https://kyotofusioneering.com/en/news/2025/12/03/3598 Ten years of Wendelstein 7-X - ten years of world-leading fusion research https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2025/12/01/ten-years-of-wendelstein-7-x-ten-years-of-world-leading-fusion-research FIA Launches Education and Research Partnership program https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fia-launches-education-and-research-partnership-program/ STEP Fusion celebrates community engagement and announces the timeline for development consent at the West Burton site https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/community/step-fusion-celebrates-community-engagement-and-announces-the-timeline-for-development-consent-at-the-west-burton-site-5422025 Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ycIEr8KX-cc
November 26, 2025 Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Zap Energy ramps up the pressure in its latest fusion device https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/18/zap-energy-ramps-up-the-pressure-in-its-latest-fusion-device/ 2. Tokamak Energy announces magnet breakthrough https://www.neimagazine.com/news/tokamak-energy-announces-magnet-breakthrough/ 3. Are we finally about to crack fusion energy? https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/are-we-finally-about-to-crack-fusion-energy/ Bonus: Fusion at United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP30 https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/fusion-at-united-nations-climate-change-conference-cop30/ New contract model launched for nuclear fusion schemes https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/legal/new-contract-model-launched-for-nuclear-fusion-schemes-21-11-2025/ Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jCP0VNrKeJs
November 12, 2025 Abdus Shaik, PhD student at Imperial College, London, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Germany announces major national investment plan for fusion energy https://www.dw.com/en/nuclear-fusion-germany-bets-billions-on-technology-for-energy-future/a-74522109 2. A U.S. think tank calls for a ten billion dollar government push to maintain American leadership in fusion https://www.nucnet.org/news/stakes-have-increased-as-us-risks-falling-behind-china-in-race-for-nuclear-fusion-11-3-2025 3. Japan moves closer to commercial fusion with a successful new test https://inspenet.com/en/noticias/japan-moves-toward-commercial-fusion-power-with-successful-test/ 4. Why the Al Industry Is Betting on a Fusion Energy Breakthrough https://time.com/7328213/nuclear-fusion-energy-ai/ Bonus: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16137063 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxs0Z8hmMZU Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/tTVfBhsUn-Q
October 29, 2025 Mechanical design engineer Jasmine Mund gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Energy Department Announces Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap to Accelerate Commercial Fusion Power https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-fusion-science-and-technology-roadmap-accelerate-commercial 2. CFS leverages DeepMind Al for SPARC https://www.neimagazine.com/news/cfs-leverages-deepmind-ai-for-sparc/ 3. Nordic study on siting of fusion pilot plant https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/nordic-study-on-siting-of-fusion-pilot-plant 4. World-first use of 3D magnetic coils to stabilise fusion plasma https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-first-use-of-3d-magnetic-coils-to-stabilise-fusion-plasma Bonus: https://www.iter.org/node/20687/iters-stefan-jachmich-wins-nuclear-fusion-journal-prizehttps://tokamakenergy.com/2025/10/15/seeing-plasma-in-colour-new-imaging-from-st40/https://www.neimagazine.com/news/german-start-up-unveils-fusion-blueprint/ Watch our podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WUUajZ5Cu4E
October 15, 2025 Jeff Peachman, PhD student at the University of Washington, gives this week's Fusion News update - summarizing behind the headlines of recent fusion energy news articles. Links to the stories discussed are included below. 1. Nuclear fusion, the 'holy grail' of power, was always 30 years away -now it's a matter of when, not if, fusion comes online to power Al https://fortune.com/2025/10/02/nuclear-fusion-online-commercial-ai-power/ 2. Eni strikes more than $1 billion power deal with US fusion firm Commonwealth https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eni-strikes-more-than-1-billion-power-deal-with-us-fusion-firm-commonwealth-2025-09-22/ 3. New prediction model could improve the reliability of fusion power plants https://news.mit.edu/2025/new-prediction-model-could-improve-reliability-fusion-power-plants-1007 Bonus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG3TxB-plT8 https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/cern-and-f4e-join-forces-to-advance-fusion-energy-development/61794/ Watch the episode on the FIA's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/iNOg0Fv8bRI Watch our podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iNOg0Fv8bRI
