Looks like nuclear fusion is picking up steam
https://www.theverge.com/news/766269/nuclear-fusion-project-map
Looks like nuclear fusion is picking up steam
https://www.theverge.com/news/766269/nuclear-fusion-project-map
13 Comments
From the article
Those efforts are ramping up, [according to CATF](https://www.catf.us/2025/08/clean-air-task-force-releases-updated-global-fusion-map-tracking-rapid-growth-in-fusion-energy-development/) citing publicly available resources and its own discussions with individual companies and investors. The number of companies developing fusion technologies has grown, particularly in North America and Europe. You can take a look at [CATF’s fusion map](https://www.catf.us/global-fusion-map/) to see where this is all happening, including government-supported programs.
In Washington state, [Microsoft inked a deal](https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/10/23717332/microsoft-nuclear-fusion-power-plant-helion-purchase-agreement) with Helion Energy to purchase electricity from a fusion generator they think will be ready by 2028. In a similar move, Google announced an agreement in June to [purchase 200 megawatts of “future carbon-free power”](https://www.theverge.com/news/694682/google-nuclear-fusion-deal-cfs) from Massachusetts-based Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a company in which Google is also an investor.
Other experts *The Verge* has spoken to over the years say it could take [decades longer](https://www.theverge.com/23508872/nuclear-fusion-power-clean-energy-breakthrough-explained) before fusion energy becomes commercially viable, assuming developers ever overcome the engineering challenges.
“There is still a lot of scientific and engineering work that these companies need to complete before they produce net energy, but these companies have created a clear roadmap to commercialization for investors and the market is responding,” says Patrick White, group lead for fusion energy and safety regulation, in an email to *The Verge*.
Fusion is always 2 decades away, but it seems like over the last few years there were some real advancements, so let’s hope it’s 15 years or less away from now on.
Can the reactors be built faster than traditional nuclear fission plants? If so, I’m on board.
I think we have reasons to be optimistic about these current developments.
The idea of fusion energy has lingered for so long that l guess no one wants to advertise it anymore, it’s just about the effectiveness of it or not.
I am pretty confident that this isn’t a scheme to increase asset valuations, a bubble or something that will fizzle out later when they find out they can’t actually do it and invested in something that would not become reality…
Or I would rather say that I am becoming more hopeful about it.
So far on the side of private companies it’s just promises – most of them at best unrealistic at worst empty. Some of them are probably just VC funding scams.
Main concerning thing about fusion is there’s no standardized design or model for commercialization that would help bring cost down with economies of scale, but I suppose that’s because it’s in the R&D phase, though it’s a bit weird there’s so many different companies getting VC funding for their own design.
AI designed advanced Stellarators seem a lot more promising for sustained guided fusion than Tokamaks in general, unfortunately we’re only in very early stages with those designs.
Tbh, only France and China seem to have made any progress towards a real, commercially viable fusion future.
Imagine a “secret goverment” nuclear plant mining bitcoin on newly aquired Intel videocards to pay off national debt.
That could be a thing, right?
I mean, it’s good that a lot of companies are trying to invest in fusion because it’s still wild to me how this topic isn’t the most funded research in every capable nation on Earth.
Problem is I fear most companies and start up are just in to make money real quick and disappear.
I also read a lot times they throw 2030 as the year when it will be feasible.
I’ll believe it when I see proofs.
Sounds like a scam. None of these companies have a working prototype, and investors believe they could go into production within 5 years?
“This map shows fusion projects popping up around the world.”
Shows a map of the continental USA…
I think that’s the general idea, unless you are Helion Energy. In that case they are all out of steam & just rocking from side to side.
Fusion has been “picking up steam” for nearly 3 decades.
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