The United States and the United Kingdom have entered into an agreement to collaborate on advancing the commercial deployment of fusion energy. Through joint research efforts and the formulation of a regulatory framework, both nations aim to accelerate the development of low-carbon, safe, sustainable, and reliable fusion energy. This collaboration is seen as a crucial step in transforming global efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and enhancing energy security and resilience.

In a joint statement, the energy departments of both countries emphasized the potential societal and economic benefits of fusion energy. They acknowledged that realizing these benefits would require appropriate regulatory, social, and market policies, as well as overcoming significant technical challenges.

Both the USA and the UK have set a target to have commercial-scale fusion power plants operational in the 2030s. The partnership will specifically focus on advancing the U.S. Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy and the UK’s Fusion Strategy.

Fusion, a process where lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releases energy similar to the process occurring in the Sun. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), under the USA’s National Ignition Facility, achieved a significant breakthrough on December 13, 2022, by reaching ignition, meaning it produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it.

Under the newly formed agreement, both countries plan to construct new facilities dedicated to the research and development of fusion energy. The collaboration will also explore opportunities for international harmonization of regulatory frameworks, codes, and standards.

Additionally, the partnership will involve supporting the development of relevant supply chains and skills development in the field of fusion energy. A coordinating committee is set to be established, co-chaired by the USA Department of Energy and the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. This committee will oversee the collaborative efforts and include participation from national laboratories, academia, and industry representatives. The first meeting of the coordinating committee is expected to take place early in 2024.

The USA Department of Energy had previously announced $46 million in funding to support companies working on fusion energy plants. This funding aims to propel fusion energy research from the laboratory stage toward practical implementation on the grid. Fusion energy, which simulates the power of the sun on Earth, holds significant promise as an alternative to conventional nuclear power plants that rely on fission.

The successful laser experiment conducted by LLNL in December 2022 marked a historic milestone in fusion research, demonstrating advancements in the pursuit of sustainable and abundant energy sources.