This Week’s Fusion News: March 7, 2025
Things You Gotta Know
First Light Fusion Shifts Focus to Amplifier Technology
First Light Fusion has strategically pivoted from developing its own fusion power plant to commercializing its proprietary amplifier technology. This decision allows the company to collaborate with other fusion enterprises and explore applications beyond energy production, such as high-velocity impact testing with organizations like NASA.
Shine Technologies Diversifies Revenue Beyond Power Generation
Shine Technologies has begun generating revenue through avenues other than direct power sales. This strategy includes offering specialized technologies and services developed during fusion research to various industries, thereby creating immediate income streams while continuing the pursuit of commercial fusion energy production.
China Targets Fusion Power by 2050
China is accelerating its fusion energy program with the goal of integrating fusion power into its energy grid by 2050. This ambitious timeline reflects the nation’s commitment to developing fusion as a sustainable and virtually limitless energy source, positioning China at the forefront of global fusion research and development.
China Fusion Energy Secures $240 Million Investment from Power Firms
China Fusion Energy, a state-owned leader in experimental fusion technology, has received nearly CNY 1.8 billion (approximately USD 240.3 million) from major power companies China Nuclear Power and Zheneng Electric Power. Founded in September with a registered capital of CNY3.5 billion, the company is pioneering the development of the China Gyre-3, an “artificial sun” device aiming to replicate solar fusion processes for limitless clean energy.
Fusion Investment Trends in 2025: A Comparative Analysis
In 2024, fusion energy investments defied the general decline in clean technology funding, marking a significant uptick in private capital inflows. Notably, the tokamak approach attracted the majority of these investments, with companies like Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Energy Singularity leading the charge. However, fusion faces stiff competition from other emerging clean firm power sources, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and next-generation geothermal energy.
Renaissance Fusion Secures €32M to Simplify Stellarator Reactor Design
French startup Renaissance Fusion has raised €32 million in a Series A1 funding round led by the Fonds Révolution Environnementale et Solidaire, with participation from Lowercarbon Capital. Their approach involves laser-patterning high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets directly onto reactor surfaces, expediting production and reducing costs. Additionally, they plan to implement liquid lithium walls to protect reactor components from neutron damage and efficiently extract heat. This funding will support the development of a 1 GW stellarator-based fusion reactor targeting grid connection by 2034.
Day 2 Highlights: 2025 Fusion Industry Association Policy Conference
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
Fusion’s path to scale; supply chain gaps, grid integration, regulations, and bipartisan support. One of the areas that drew a great deal of interest was the Fusion Energy Supply Chain Panel, which included Dr. Mark Plesko (CEO, Cosylab), Shaun Walsh (Chief Revenue Officer, Peak Nano), Jay Vitha (VP of BizDev, MetOx International), and Jackie Siebens (Direct of Public Affairs, Helion Energy).
Day 1 Highlights: 2025 Fusion Industry Association Policy Conference
BY MICHAEL HEUMANN
From loose change to limitless energy. For all of you who have tried to keep up with the myriad of appointments, executive orders, and other goings-on in the second Trump administration, one of the more curious ones was his order on February 10, 2025 directing the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies.
The “Wright” Leadership: Unpacking the DOE’s Strategy to Power America and Close the Electricity Gap
SPONSORED CONTENT
This webcast will explore Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s bold, transformative strategy and examine the pressing challenges posed by America’s electricity gap and aging infrastructure. Our panel will analyze how these measures will impact key industries, from fossil fuels and renewables to grid modernization and energy exports.