In January of this year, China achieved a groundbreaking milestone in nuclear energy, setting a new world record with its experimental reactor \u2014 the Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), known as the “artificial sun.”<\/p>\n
The reactor maintained a stable, high-temperature plasma for 1,066 seconds \u2014 nearly 18 minutes \u2014 an unprecedented result in the history of nuclear fusion research.<\/p>\n
This achievement represents a significant step toward realizing humanity\u2019s age-old dream: unlimited, clean energy through controlled nuclear fusion.<\/p>\n
\u2014 After we build a power generator, we will start producing energy by 2040, \u2014 said<\/a> Dr. Song Yuntao, Director of the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.<\/p>\n China\u2019s technological breakthrough not only confirms its growing role in the global tech race, but could also significantly shape the future of global energy and climate policy.<\/p>\n The EAST reactor, located in Hefei in Anhui Province, aims to replicate the nuclear fusion process that powers the Sun. During this process, hydrogen nuclei merge into helium, releasing vast amounts of energy.<\/p>\n However, reproducing this process on Earth requires extreme conditions \u2014 the plasma must reach temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius, several times hotter than the Sun\u2019s core, and its stability must be maintained for a prolonged period.<\/p>\n Not long ago, such parameters seemed unattainable \u2014 the previous record of 403 seconds was set in 2023, also at EAST. In just two years, the duration has nearly tripled, demonstrating the rapid pace of technological progress. Experts emphasize that every new record brings us closer to the moment when commercial fusion power becomes feasible.<\/p>\n \u2014 We hope to expand international collaboration via EAST and bring fusion energy into practical use for humanity,\u2014 Song said<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the European Union, which has committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, fusion energy is becoming one of the pillars of its energy transition strategy.<\/p>\n \u2014 In the Commission, we follow a net-zero policy and so each and every energy source that can contribute to that is, of course, most welcome \u2014 said<\/a> Massimo Garribba, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy \u2014 If this is done, then you will have a cycle which is basically self-sustaining. In terms of energy security, this is a very advantageous situation \u2014 explained Garribba.<\/p>\n Fusion reactions emit no greenhouse gases, and their waste is far less problematic than that of traditional nuclear power plants. This makes fusion technology a potentially key player in reducing global warming and meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n The European Union actively supports the development of this technology through its participation in the global International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.<\/p>\n The project, located in the research center at Cadarache in southern France, is one of the most ambitious scientific endeavors in history. Its goal is to construct the largest and most advanced fusion reactor, proving that it is possible to produce more energy than the reaction consumes.<\/p>\n ITER is a joint project involving 35 countries, including EU nations, the UK, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Russia, and the USA.<\/p>\nFusion Energy as an EU Climate Strategy<\/strong><\/h3>\n