In December 2022, scientists at the US National Ignition Facility made headlines around the world with a big milestone towards commercial fusion power.
For the first time, they produced more energy than it took to start fusion reactions, achieving the key ‘ignition’ point and increasing confidence that fusion can be part of the future low-carbon energy mix.
The ‘inertial fusion’ technology used by the US team offers a credible route to fusion energy. The UK now has a huge opportunity to capitalise, with world-leading laser inertial fusion researchers and private firms such as Oxford-based First Light Fusion driving progress towards power plants.