Fusion industry leaders urge for a long-term plan from the EU.

Leaders from various fusion and industrial companies have urged the European Commission to formulate an EU Fusion Strategy to maintain Europe's status as a frontrunner in fusion power commercialization.

In an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, and EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva, they express concern about Europe's reliance on external sources for energy, essential technologies, and strategic raw materials.

They argue that complacency with the current situation has led to reactive measures and a focus on minor improvements. A change is necessary, emphasizing that political leaders in the EU and Member States must transition from short-term fixes to a long-term strategy that ensures energy security, mitigates dependencies, enhances technological sovereignty, and protects the economy from external disruptions.

The letter stresses that fusion power should be integral to this new approach.

"Fusion is no longer a distant dream," they state, noting that potential locations for fusion plants have been identified in Germany, the UK, and Sweden. Meanwhile, countries like the US, China, Japan, and Canada are ramping up both public support and private investments. Europe now faces a critical decision: either maintain its leadership in this transition or become reliant on foreign technologies and supply chains.

The CEOs call for the European Commission to unveil an EU Fusion Strategy that sets ambitious goals from the outset for building commercial fusion power plants in the 2030s. They assert that Europe has a singular opportunity to define its direction and must act decisively, as the industrial landscape is prepared to back commercial fusion and there is consensus within the ecosystem on the necessity of a robust strategy.

They contend that the strategy should treat fusion as a vital priority for Europe's competitiveness, energy security, and net-zero targets. It needs to be bold, technology-neutral, and focused on outcomes, emphasizing funding based on milestones that encourage private investment and recognize achievements. The strategy should outline clear steps for integrating fusion into existing EU regulations, treating it distinctly from fission due to its inherently lower risk. It should also enhance and develop European supply chains and workforce capabilities, ensuring value creation stays within Europe.

Additionally, they stress that the strategy requires an action plan that allocates budget, mobilizes capital, and establishes "a favourable and predictable regulatory pathway" to realize commercial fusion.

The letter concludes by highlighting the transformative benefits of fusion, including clean energy, industrial revitalization, technological leadership, and high-skilled jobs for European talent engaged in this ambitious endeavor.

The letter has the support of prominent individuals from organizations such as Renaissance Fusion, Focused Energy, Marvel Fusion, Proxima Fusion, Novatron Fusion, Gauss Fusion GmbH, NINEFusion, DWE GmbH, RI Research Instruments GmbH, Fusion Europe, Fusion Industry Association, and ProFusion German Fusion Industry Association.