European countries are accelerating investments in fusion energy, seen as a key pathway to energy independence amid renewed disruptions in global oil markets, according to Mediafax.
The recent crisis triggered by the conflict in Iran, which disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, has once again exposed Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel imports, causing major market instability.
Fusion as a long-term solution
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Nuclear energy can be produced through fission or fusion. While fission powers current nuclear plants, fusion generates energy by combining light atomic nuclei, offering significantly higher efficiency.
Fusion is considered a future-proof energy source due to its high output, lack of CO₂ emissions, and minimal long-term radioactive waste.
Proxima Fusion and the stellarator approach
One of Europe’s most ambitious projects is led by Proxima Fusion, a startup founded in 2023. The company is developing stellarator-based reactors, an alternative to the widely used tokamak design.
Stellarators offer greater stability and continuous operation potential, although they are more complex to build. The experimental “Alpha” reactor could become operational in the early 2030s, with plans for a commercial plant under the “Stellaris” project.
Germany shifts its energy strategy
After phasing out traditional nuclear power in 2023, Germany is investing heavily in fusion. The government led by Friedrich Merz has announced funding of over €2 billion by 2029.
The goal is to reduce external energy dependence and build a new strategic industry.
Challenges remain
Despite its promise, fusion technology is not yet market-ready. A study published in Nature Energy suggests that cost and timeline projections may be overly optimistic.
Experts warn that large-scale deployment could take longer than currently anticipated.
Photo: freepik.com
