Join us August 12 for Fusion 2035: The 10-Year Shot Clock, a half-day webinar featuring leaders from across the fusion ecosystem.

Things You Gotta Know

Helion Energy Breaks Ground on Fusion Power Plant
Helion Energy has begun construction of what it hopes will be the first U.S. grid-connected fusion power plant, located in Malaga, Washington. Backed by $1 billion in private funding and a power purchase agreement with Microsoft, the company targets delivering 50 MW of electricity within three years. Helion’s design bypasses conventional turbine systems by directly converting fast-pulsed fusion reactions into electricity. The company’s previous Polaris prototype demonstrated key elements of the technology, and its new Orion reactor will attempt to deliver electricity to the Pacific Northwest grid by 2028.

Fusion Companies Worldwide Gain Momentum, Spotlight on Japan and UK
A new wave of fusion companies is emerging in markets across the globe, with Japan and the United Kingdom leading key initiatives. These efforts aim to accelerate the transition from research-focused prototypes to viable commercial fusion power systems. Both nations are nurturing startup ecosystems and forging partnerships to compete in what has become a highly international race to deliver clean, virtually limitless energy. Regional strategies and private capital are converging to push fusion technology closer to deployment.

China Advances Fusion Energy Development with New Initiatives
China has announced new steps to accelerate its fusion energy research and development programs. The initiatives include investments in next-generation experimental reactors and expanded international collaboration. The strategy aims to strengthen domestic expertise while positioning China as a key player in the global pursuit of commercially viable fusion power. These efforts build on prior progress in high-temperature plasma research and highlight fusion as a core element of China’s long-term clean energy strategy.

PPPL Explores Lithium’s Role in Fusion Fuel Interaction
Scientists at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are studying how lithium wall coatings influence the behavior of fusion fuel inside reactors. Lithium can absorb hydrogen isotopes, reducing fuel recycling and helping stabilize plasma, but it also complicates fuel retention and release. Researchers are examining this complex interaction to better understand how lithium-lined walls could improve reactor performance while addressing challenges related to fuel inventory management and plasma purity.

Interview with the FIA’s Andrew Holland

Fusion energy companies nearly doubled their supply chain spending in 2024, but risks remain. Fusion Industry Association CEO Andrew Holland discusses supply chain gaps, the role of data centers, and China’s competitive push; stressing the need for investment, policy support, and workforce development to accelerate commercialization.

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China and the Threat to the World’s Energy Independence

China leads the world in manufacturing solar, wind, and grid components, and is moving aggressively into fusion energy. This dominance poses challenges to energy independence for the U.S. and its allies, highlighting the urgent need for reshoring production, investing in domestic supply chains, and securing critical infrastructure.

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