The Fusion Energy Race: ITER to KSTAR — 2026-09-12
Proxima Fusion has announced plans to build Europe's first large-scale facility for high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape production in Germany, a critical supply-chain move for future compact reactors. Meanwhile, new analysis highlights that the global fusion race is shifting from pure scientific milestones to a contest over control standards and software infrastructure, with startups like Fusionality emerging to fill this niche.
The Fusion Energy Race: ITER to KSTAR — 2026-09-12
Top developments
Proxima Fusion signs deal for first European HTS production hub
Munich-based stellarator developer Proxima Fusion and the State of Lower Saxony signed a memorandum of understanding on September 11, 2026, to construct Europe’s first large-scale facility for fusion-grade high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape. This facility is essential for scaling up the production of magnets required for compact fusion devices like Proxima’s stellarator and competitors' tokamaks. The move signals a shift from experimental prototyping to industrial-scale material manufacturing in Europe
The "Control Standards" war: Software becomes the new bottleneck
A new op-ed published on September 12, 2026, argues that as licensing accelerates for US and European projects, strategic advantage will depend on advanced control systems rather than just magnet technology. This aligns with recent moves by startups like Fusionality, founded by Google DeepMind alumni, which is developing AI-driven control systems and simulation environments to accelerate grid-ready fusion power. The focus is shifting from achieving plasma ignition to managing it reliably at commercial scales
UKAEA MAST-U achieves 1,100+ plasmas with stable edge conditions
Researchers at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s MAST Upgrade (MAST-U) tokamak have successfully sustained over 1,100 plasma discharges at temperatures reaching 54 million degrees Celsius. Crucially, the team demonstrated four distinct methods to stabilize the plasma edge, preventing the "bursts" that damage reactor walls, and developed techniques to monitor plasma via exhaust glow. These results provide vital data for ITER’s divertor design and future DEMO-class reactors, addressing one of the most persistent engineering challenges in magnetic confinement fusion
Korea’s KEPCO E&C partners with Enable Fusion to expand nuclear service portfolio
On September 10, 2026, KEPCO Engineering & Construction announced a partnership with Korean fusion startup Enable Fusion to expand its involvement in the fusion energy sector. This move indicates that traditional nuclear engineering firms are actively integrating fusion technologies into their long-term service and construction portfolios, potentially de-risking the supply chain for upcoming pilot plants like K-DEMO. The collaboration focuses on leveraging KEPCO’s experience in large-scale nuclear infrastructure for fusion-specific applications
Local view
South Korea: Local media reports highlight KEPCO E&C’s strategic pivot toward fusion, signaling confidence in the domestic supply chain. The partnership with Enable Fusion is viewed as a step toward commercializing the expertise gained from operating KSTAR, which recently completed its tungsten wall upgrade phase. Stakeholders see this as a way to secure Korea’s position in the global fusion export market
Europe: German media coverage of the Proxima-Lower Saxony MOU emphasizes regional economic benefits and the creation of a sovereign European HTS supply chain, reducing dependence on Asian suppliers for critical superconducting materials
Context & numbers
- Private Funding: Total private investment in fusion has reached approximately $7.1 billion, with 17 companies having raised over $100 million each
- ITER Timeline: The updated baseline schedule continues to target deuterium-deuterium operations in 2035, with full D-T operations following. Recent discussions focus on "robust start" protocols rather than accelerating the initial date
- MAST-U Performance: 54 million °C plasma temperature achieved across >1,100 discharges
On the radar
- ITER Council Meeting: The ITER Organization is preparing proposals for the November Council meeting regarding the extended schedule through nuclear operation. Watch for updates on cost implications of the "robust start" approach.
- Helion Temperature Records: While the specific record was set slightly earlier in the month, Helion’s continued push in field-reversed configuration temperatures remains a key benchmark for pulsed fusion approaches.
- China’s BEST Tokamak: Monitoring continues for the completion status of the BEST (Burning Experimental Superconducting Tokamak) in Hefei, which aims to support China’s 2030+ demonstration goals.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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