The Call invites private fusion companies to express interest in colaborating with Fusion for Energy
Fusion for Energy (F4E) has launched a Call for Expression of Interest inviting EU private initiatives to collaborate with F4E. The aim is to support the growth and success of the fusion private sector and foster innovative partnerships that will drive the future of fusion energy. The call will run for five years and is open to entities working in the field of fusion based in an F4E Member State (currently the EU-27).
With this new approach, F4E lays the foundation more and better collaboration. F4E will assess the applications and, when there is a mutual interest, start a dialogue to conclude a first, generic agreement. From this framework, specific activities may emerge, such as exchanges on know-how in fusion technologies or supply chain expertise.
“The call is in line with F4E’s vision,” explains Marc Lachaise, Director of Fusion for Energy. “Public-private partnerships are key to enhancing Europe’s potential in fusion. There is a real opportunity to inject more dynamism into this ecosystem and strengthen it with the knowledge and experience that F4E has acquired over the years. We are eager to explore the best ways forward to support the growth of private fusion initiatives, whilst learning from their innovative approaches towards fusion.”
The time is indeed ripe to explore new synergies. A 2024 survey indicated that investors’ commitment to the private fusion sector reached a cumulative USD 7.1 billion, up from USD 6.2 billion the year before. There are over 40 private fusion companies worldwide. More than half are based in the US, but, since 2019, at least eight new companies have been established in Europe to build commercial fusion reactors. With the EU in the race, heavily involved in projects like ITER, JT-60SA and DONES, discussions are focusing on how to capitalise on know-how and expertise resulting from these projects.
Parallel to these developments, the EU Blueprint for Fusion conference came to underline this need, together with the workshop on Public Private Partnerships hosted by ITER Organization. For these reasons, F4E, took the strategic decision to actively engage with private fusion companies and build mutually beneficial partnerships.
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