Nuclear fusion, the process that powers stars, has reached a groundbreaking milestone at the UK-based JET laboratory.
After more than 40 years of fusion research, scientists have achieved a new world record in generating energy through nuclear fusion. This achievement brings us one step closer to the dream of limitless, clean power. If successfully scaled up to commercial levels, fusion energy could provide endless amounts of clean energy without carbon emissions, independent of weather conditions. While there is still a long way to go before nuclear fusion power plants become a reality, each experiment takes us closer to this transformative energy source. The collaboration of scientists and engineers from across Europe has played a crucial role in this remarkable achievement. Although the future role of the UK in European fusion research is uncertain, discussions are underway to explore future involvement in ITER, the successor to JET. The UK government is also planning to build the world’s first fusion power plant, known as the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project, with operations expected to commence in the 2040s. Exciting times lie ahead as we continue to unlock the immense potential of nuclear fusion and pave the way for a cleaner, sustainable future.
