A Turning Point for Fusion Energy
European lawmakers are calling on the EU to move faster on nuclear fusion, arguing the technology is no longer a far-off scientific dream but a realistic energy option that deserves serious backing. In a declaration issued this week, members of the European People’s Party urged the European Commission to unlock fusion’s potential and position it as a pillar of Europe’s future energy mix.
The message came during a public hearing in the European Parliament, where MEPs stressed the need for a clear and predictable regulatory framework. With fusion projects expected to cost billions, they warned that investors will only commit if the rules of the game are clearly defined.
From Research Labs to Real Power Plants
According to the declaration, Europe is at a critical moment. Industrial capacity and private investment interest are beginning to align, but lawmakers say political support must now follow. Bulgarian MEP Tsvetelina Penkova argued that fusion should no longer be treated as a purely research-based endeavour.
German MEP Hildegard Bentele described fusion as Europe’s chance to turn its scientific expertise into industrial strength, while Belgium’s Pascal Arimont said the technology represents a strategic opportunity for clean, safe and reliable energy. He added that Europe’s goal should be to develop, fund and deploy fusion power within the EU, rather than watching progress happen elsewhere.
Lawmakers are also asking the Commission to give member states flexibility in setting licensing, safety and permitting rules for fusion plants, while clearly distinguishing fusion from traditional nuclear power in EU regulations.
Why Fusion Is Different from Nuclear Power Today
Fusion energy works by combining small atoms, such as hydrogen, to release vast amounts of energy—the same process that powers the sun. This differs from nuclear fission, which splits large atoms and produces radioactive waste. While fission is widely used today, fusion is seen as cleaner and safer, though it has yet to generate electricity on a commercial scale.
Momentum has been growing since a major breakthrough in the United States in 2022, when scientists achieved a fusion reaction that produced more energy than was used to trigger it. In Europe, Germany is leading the charge, securing a €7 billion deal with energy company RWE in 2023 to build a pilot fusion plant by 2035.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to establish a clear regulatory framework for fusion at both national and European level, arguing that Europe must seize the opportunity to lead in a technology that could reshape its energy future.
