The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a bold new roadmap aimed at turning the long-held dream of commercial fusion energy into a reality within the next decade.
The Fusion Science and Technology (FS&T) Roadmap lays out a comprehensive national strategy to deliver fusion power to the grid by the mid-2030s – marking what officials call the most rapid and responsible timeline in history for the development of this transformative energy source.
Commenting on the plan, Energy Department Under Secretary for Science Dr Darío Gil said: “The FS&T Roadmap brings unprecedented coordination across America’s fusion enterprise.
“For the first time, DOE, industry, and our National Labs will be aligned with a shared purpose – to accelerate the path to commercial fusion power and strengthen America’s leadership in energy innovation.”
The importance of fusion energy
Fusion energy is the process that powers the Sun and stars, generated when two light atomic nuclei fuse into a heavier one, releasing enormous amounts of energy in the process.
Unlike traditional nuclear fission, fusion produces no long-lived radioactive waste and carries no risk of meltdown.
If successfully harnessed, commercial fusion energy promises to revolutionise global power systems by providing virtually limitless, carbon-free electricity.
Its potential to complement renewable energy sources could redefine how nations meet growing energy demands while achieving climate goals.
A unified vision for America’s fusion future
Unveiled during the U.S. Fusion Energy Enterprise Events in Washington, the FS&T Roadmap represents a milestone in aligning government strategy with private-sector innovation.
The plan was shaped by insights from over 600 scientists, engineers, and industry leaders, all contributing to a unified vision for how the nation can lead in fusion energy technology.
The roadmap introduces the DOE’s ‘Build–Innovate–Grow’ strategy – an integrated framework designed to synchronise public investment with private ingenuity.
The plan emphasises three core priorities:
- Build: Establish critical infrastructure to close materials and technology gaps in fusion systems.
- Innovate: Harness artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and cutting-edge research to advance reactor design.
- Grow: Expand America’s fusion ecosystem through public–private partnerships, manufacturing hubs, and workforce training.
Bridging gaps and accelerating innovation
The DOE’s roadmap identifies six core areas critical to realising a Fusion Pilot Plant (FPP): structural materials, plasma-facing components, confinement systems, fuel cycles, blankets, and plant engineering.
With more than $9bn already invested by private companies in prototype designs and burning-plasma demonstrations, the DOE’s plan seeks to close remaining gaps through coordinated national collaboration.
By accelerating progress across laboratories, universities, and industry, the roadmap strengthens domestic supply chains, boosts domestic manufacturing capacity, and lays the groundwork for a resilient fusion economy.
Policy backing and economic promise
The initiative supports the Administration’s broader energy policy framework to expand domestic energy production and reinforce US energy independence.
By advancing commercial fusion energy, the DOE aims to restore America’s leadership in cutting-edge technology while driving job creation in advanced manufacturing and clean energy sectors.
While the roadmap itself does not commit to specific funding levels, it sets the stage for future public–private partnerships, with investments contingent on Congressional appropriations.
The DOE’s strategic direction ensures that as the private sector scales up through the 2030s, the federal government will be ready to support innovation and deployment.
A new era of American energy
The FS&T Roadmap positions the United States at the forefront of a global race to achieve commercial fusion energy – a race that could define the next century of clean power.
As the DOE, industry, and academia unite behind a shared vision, America is laying the foundation for a future powered by the same energy that fuels the stars – abundant, reliable, and American-made.
