In a world increasingly defined by energy crises, climate targets, and geopolitical volatility, fusion energy represents the holy grail: limitless, clean, safe power derived from the same process that fuels the Sun.
It promises to solve the energy trilemma – security, sustainability, and affordability – without the trade-offs of fossil fuels or current nuclear fission.
But turning that promise into reality is not guaranteed. Right now, it depends on consistent, bold investment in research and development.
Fusion is not science fiction – but it could become political fiction if funding fails to keep pace with its potential.
Why fusion? A unique energy proposition
Fusion works by combining two light atomic nuclei (usually isotopes of hydrogen-deuterium and tritium) to form helium, releasing massive energy in the process.
Unlike fission, it doesn’t produce long-lived radioactive waste, carries virtually zero meltdown risk, and emits no CO₂.
- 1 gram of fusion fuel = ~8 tonnes of oil in energy output
- Fuel is abundant: deuterium from seawater and tritium bred in reactors
- Compact footprint compared to renewables like solar or wind
Where are we now? Breakthroughs but no break-even
Recent milestones signal that fusion is no longer hypothetical:
- JET (UK) achieved a record 59 MJ of sustained fusion energy in 2022
- LLNL (USA) achieved net energy gain using laser fusion in 2022–2023
- ITER (France), the world’s largest fusion reactor, is progressing toward operational testing by 2035
But these are prototypes – not power plants. There is still a gap between scientific feasibility and commercial viability.
Why funding matters now more than ever
Fusion requires long-term, high-risk, high-reward investment. Without it, projects stall mid-stream, talent drains to other sectors, and the public loses faith in one of the few truly transformative climate solutions.
Here’s what fusion funding enables:
- Breakthrough experiments (plasma stability, magnetics, tritium breeding)
- Commercial demonstration plants
- Private-public partnerships to fast-track deployment
- A global innovation ecosystem for shared knowledge and workforce development
Currently, most countries spend less than 0.05% of their energy R&D budgets on fusion.
A global race, and the stakes are high
The US, UK, China, South Korea, and the EU are locked in a soft race to commercialise fusion energy.
The nation that builds the first viable fusion power plant may not only revolutionise its energy grid, but also reshape global geopolitics and clean tech leadership.
In the UK, the STEP programme (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) aims to deliver a prototype plant by 2040. However, that will require stable, increased funding well into the 2030s.
Private fusion startups are rising – but they need public backing
Companies like:
- Commonwealth Fusion Systems (US)
- First Light Fusion (UK)
- TAE Technologies (US)
…have collectively raised billions from investors. But even these well-funded ventures depend on public research, national labs, and international collaboration for core technologies.
Fusion is too important to leave solely to venture capital.
The payoff: A clean energy infrastructure for centuries
If successful, fusion offers:
- Baseload clean energy to complement wind and solar
- Energy independence for resource-scarce nations
- A technological legacy akin to the space race or the internet
It is the kind of infrastructure investment that defines not just economies but eras.
Betting on fusion is betting on the future
We fund what we value. And if the goal is a future where humanity thrives within planetary boundaries, fusion must be more than a moonshot – it must be a mandate.
Governments, philanthropies, and industry leaders must come together to ensure fusion is not just pursued – but delivered.
