Delivering an Effective Fusion Strategy for Europe

The document argues that Europe must shift from a research-centric approach to a comprehensive industrial strategy for fusion energy to avoid falling behind global competitors like the US, UK, China, and Japan. It recommends that the EU's first Fusion Strategy prioritise private sector-led net energy fusion demonstration plants by the 2030s and adopt a Key Enabling Technology (KET)-based roadmap to align public funding with commercially relevant R&D. The authors propose streamlining governance by expanding the role of the Fusion for Energy (F4E) Joint Undertaking as the singular public governance body and establishing a cohesive Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme to remove financing barriers for start-ups. Additionally, the letter calls for the explicit recognition of fusion as a strategic clean technology in EU legislation, including the Green Taxonomy and the Net Zero Industry Act, and the creation of a regulatory framework that distinguishes fusion from fission.

• Europe's current fusion ecosystem is hindered by fragmented governance, an outdated R&D agenda, limited Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunities, and a lack of regulatory clarity, risking its position in a "global commercial race" against the US, UK, China, and Japan.
• The authors recommend that the EU's Fusion Strategy set the core objective of enabling private sector-led net energy fusion demonstration plants by the 2030s.
• The document proposes a shift to a Key Enabling Technology (KET)-based roadmap to prioritise commercially relevant R&D and promote technical diversity and competition, rather than following a sequential roadmap.
• To improve governance, the letter suggests expanding the Fusion for Energy (F4E) Joint Undertaking to serve as the "singular public governance body" coordinating research, industrial engagement, and commercialisation, with private sector representatives as co-leaders.
• The authors advocate for the legal recognition of fusion as a strategic clean technology within the EU's Net Zero Industry Act and Green Taxonomy to secure necessary financial and policy support.
• The document argues that fusion energy should be regulated separately from fission at the EU level due to their fundamental differences, suggesting the FELEX team at Fusion for Energy as a model for policy coordination.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (2025). Delivering an Effective Fusion Strategy for Europe. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14150432/EU-Fusion-Letter_Final.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Delivering an Effective Fusion Strategy for Europe. 2025. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14150432/EU-Fusion-Letter_Final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Delivering an Effective Fusion Strategy for Europe |date=15 October 2025 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14150432/EU-Fusion-Letter_Final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{cleanairtaskforce2025delivering, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Delivering an Effective Fusion Strategy for Europe}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2025}, month = oct, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14150432/EU-Fusion-Letter_Final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }