Fusion Energy Regulations Around the World

The Fusion Report article from last week focused on the state of fusion regulations in the United States. However, while the US may have the most private companies focused on the development of fusion machines, it is certainly not the only country developing fusion energy. As the chart shows above, there are (at least) six other countries working on government-funded fusion energy programs (the UK, France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and China). Moreover, there are at least eight (8) privately-funded companies developing fusion machines outside of the US:

• Two in Germany (Marvel Fusion, Proxima Fusion)
• Two in the United Kingdom (Tokamak Energy, First Light Fusion)
• One in Canada (General Fusion)
• One in France (Renaissance Fusion)
• One in Australia (HB11 Energy)
• One in Israel (nt-Tao)

In total, these companies have raised over $1B – not as much as US companies have in fusion (over $6B), but certainly a respectable amount. And just as US companies are very interested in the government regulation of commercial fusion energy development and deployment, it is safe to assume these companies are as well.

Want to see more fusion energy and supply chain companies of the world? Check out our global fusion company maps showing the headquarters of over 100 fusion energy and supply chain companies. 

Regulations in the European Union

With three active private fusion machine companies (two in Germany, one in France), the European Union (EU) is actively developing a regulatory framework to promote fusion energy development and deployment. The centerpiece of these efforts is the inclusion by the European Parliament of fusion energy in the European Net Zero Industry Act. Specifically, the Net Zero Industry Act sets specific accelerated timelines for net zero projects, including 9-12 months for “regular” projects, and 6-9 months for “strategic” projects. The Net Zero Industry Act also identifies potential funding for these projects from the EU Emission Trading System (ETS), and for strategic projects from the Strategic technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) program.

“With the adoption of this proposal, MEPs are showing they are serious about making Europe fit for industrial manufacturing. Without these steps to reduce the administrative burden, speed up processes, and increase public investment in our industry and innovation, Europe would face decarbonisation by deindustrialisation. This proposal shows we can prevent this”, said lead MEP Christian Ehler (EPP, DE). The goal is to make the EU a global leader in sustainable and affordable energy.

Regulations in the United Kingdom

Only slightly trailing the EU, the United Kingdom (UK) has also passed a comprehensive regulatory framework for fusion energy. The centerpiece of this is the UK Energy Security Bill of 2022. This bill, which updates the Nuclear Installations Act of 1965, states that fusion energy facilities are not subject to the same regulations as nuclear fission. The bill also sets the UK Health and Safety Executive as the regulatory agency for the UK fusion energy industry, rather than the UK Office of Nuclear Regulation. The bill also recognizes the fusion is an inherently safe process, which would shut itself down within seconds, as opposed to the potential for nuclear fission to go into a self-sustaining chain reaction, leading to meltdown and/or the release of radiation. These regulations are comparable to the current US regulatory framework, and were built in conjunction with US regulatory changes.

“If the UK is to move from a fusion science superpower to a fusion industry superpower, we need to help the emerging fusion sector to plan with clarity and confidence. It is now time to look at how the regulatory framework for fusion can support this growing fusion industry whilst maintaining the UK’s high standards of public and environmental protections.” George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Towards Fusion Energy (2021).

Regulations in Canada

Canada, which has one private company engaged in commercial fusion energy development (General Fusion), still regulated fusion energy under the same agency that regulates fission energy, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). The CNSC is currently working on the clarification of their position regarding fusion energy, recognizing that fusion cannot be regulated in the same manner as nuclear fission. The CNSC recently took the first steps towards these changes in a position paper published in 2024. The CNSC expects that this process will be completed in 2025 or 2026.

Regulations in Australia and Israel

For Australia and Israel (with one fusion company each), fusion energy is still a developing area from a regulatory standpoint. In Australia, fission-based nuclear facilities are banned by law, but fusion specifically is not included in this limitation. However, more than a few pundits have commented on the lack of inclusion of fusion in Australia’s “Beyond Zero Emissions” organization’s framework. Similarly, Israeli fusion is also in “early days”, though there are active collaborations with the US in regard to fusion.

Regulations in Japan and South Korea

While neither Japan nor South Korea have private companies working on the development of an entire commercial fusion machine, both countries are deeply involved in the development of fusion energy. In Japan, these efforts are wrapped up in the Fusion Industry Council (“J-Fusion”) and Japan’s Fusion Moonshot program, all a part of Japan’s fusion strategy. Similarly, South Korea’s fusion energy regulatory framework is embodied in the “Fusion Energy Development Promotion Act”, which is administered by the Minister of Science, Information, and Communication Technology and Future Planning. Both countries have highly active scientific fusion machine programs (KSTAR for Korea, and JT-60SA in Japan), and both countries are investing significant amounts of money into fusion.

Conclusion: A Generally Friendly Environment for Fusion Energy

The movement towards fusion energy, though long in coming, is approaching a “critical mass” in the western countries, including in the regulation of commercial fusion energy. While this by itself is not enough, it is critical to the overall success towards the commercialization of fusion energy. The separation of fusion energy regulations from those for nuclear fission is one of the critical parts of this effort, and (luckily) one that most countries seem to clearly recognize.