The IAEA and Italy co-hosted a landmark ministerial meeting in Rome for the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG), emphasizing fusion energy’s momentum. Officials from many countries acknowledged recent advances in fusion technology, underscoring its potential as a safe, clean, and limitless energy source. Key themes included the importance of international collaboration to accelerate fusion’s commercialization, the development of global supply chains, and the need for a specialized workforce. This gathering reflects a growing commitment to transition fusion from research to practical deployment, enhancing the feasibility of fusion plants in the near future.
EUROfusion was also involved in one of the panel discussion where Ambrogio Fasoli, Programme Manager of EUROfusion presented our vision how to realize fusion electricity.
His impressions was that: “There was a very strong and unanimous support to fusion from all the states that were there, and a call for partnering with private companies, but at the same time for not forgetting the necessity for international collaboration and for not leaving anybody behind in such historical developments.”
The Chair of our General Assembly, Radomir Panek was also among the experts gathered from all around the World.
In a further sign of increased interest, the IAEA launched two fusion publications – the World Fusion Outlook 2024 and Fusion Key Elements.
World Fusion Outlook 2024
In its second edition, the World Fusion Outlook 2024 provides an overview of the current state and direction of the fusion field. It highlights emerging plant concepts, projected development timelines, policy frameworks and trends in both public and private investment. It also covers research output metrics and offers regional and sectoral outlooks.
Gianfranco Federici, Head of EUROfusion’s ITER Technology and DEMO Preparation Department contributed to this publication.
At least 20 fusion energy plant concepts are at various stages of development in ten countries with the target completion dates ranging between the late-2020s and mid-2050s. The concepts featured in this year’s outlook are being developed by governments, private companies and public–private joint ventures.
Fusion Key Elements
Fusion Key Elements highlights the importance of sharing a common vision and understanding of the path leading to commercialization of fusion energy among all stakeholders involved. It is structured around six key elements, each addressing facets of the fusion energy paradigm. These include:
- Research, development and demonstration priorities and metrics, and commercialization milestones
- Resources, workforce and knowledge management for industrialization
- Safety, security and non-proliferation
- Global collaboration
- Roles of stakeholders
- Public engagement, outreach and communication
Together, these six elements form the foundation of a unified strategy to navigate challenges and seize the opportunities inherent in fusion energy development.