Global race for fusion energy accelerates with Rosatom's tokamak breakthroughs

The race to harness fusion energy has been called the defining challenge of this century. Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, highlighted its importance while stressing the need for clear planning and global cooperation. The push for practical fusion power involves major projects, from Russia's tokamak-based reactor facility to international efforts like ITER and private-sector breakthroughs.

Rosatom's plan centres on building a tokamak-based reactor technology facility (TRT), a key step toward developing fusion power. Likhachev has underlined the importance of setting out precise implementation stages for the project. Funding has already been secured for research, and technical documentation is currently under review.

Collaboration remains central to the effort. In Russia, the Kurchatov Institute, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Rosatom are working together. Meanwhile, over 30 European and international companies have joined the Alpha Alliance, led by Proxima Fusion, to develop the Alpha fusion demonstrator. Other global initiatives include the ITER project, Type One Energy's 350 MW stellerator plant in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (with groundbreaking planned for 2028), and advancements from firms like Helion Energy, which recently achieved plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius. Despite progress, generating electricity from fusion within the next decade is seen as a formidable but motivating goal. Commonwealth Fusion Systems and other private companies are also accelerating commercialisation efforts across tokamak and stellarator technologies.

The fusion energy sector is advancing through coordinated research, funding, and international partnerships. Rosatom's TRT facility and global projects like ITER and Alpha Alliance demonstrate growing momentum. While challenges remain, the push for practical fusion power continues to gain speed.