China has formally outlined its national fusion energy development strategy, a three-step roadmap culminating in the commercial use of fusion power by 2050. The plan was detailed by Luo Delong, head of the China National Nuclear Corporation's (CNNC) Fusion Reactor Project, during the "Fusion for the Future" event organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The strategy's near-term goal is to complete construction of the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) by 2035. This will be followed by the operation of a DEMO prototype reactor by 2050, which is the same target year for achieving commercial viability. This long-term, state-directed plan signals a significant commitment to developing fusion as a key component of its future energy portfolio. Source: IAEA Fusion
The roadmap builds on progress from existing domestic facilities, most notably the HL-2M tokamak at the Southwestern Institute of Physics in Chengdu. This device recently achieved a significant operational milestone by sustaining a plasma current of 1 million amperes. The next major step, CFETR, is designed to bridge the gap between current experiments and a power-producing plant. Its primary objectives include demonstrating steady-state operation and testing a functional tritium breeding blanket. According to the presentation, CFETR is designed to produce up to 1 GW of fusion power, with a plasma current of 1 MA and a high duty cycle, aiming for 30-50% availability. These parameters are intended to resolve key engineering and physics challenges for a future commercial reactor. Source: IAEA Fusion
The roadmap builds on progress from existing domestic facilities, most notably the HL-2M tokamak at the Southwestern Institute of Physics in Chengdu.
The strategy is structured in three distinct phases: establishing a foundation of scientific research, achieving key technological breakthroughs, and finally, the application of fusion energy. The first phase is considered complete, leveraging experience from domestic machines and participation in international projects. The second phase, centered on CFETR, aims to master core technologies for a DEMO reactor. The third phase focuses on the construction and operation of the DEMO prototype itself. This methodical approach is heavily informed by China's role as one of the seven members of the ITER program, which provides critical data and experience for next-generation designs like CFETR and the subsequent DEMO. Source: IAEA Fusion
International collaboration was presented as a cornerstone of China's fusion development strategy. Luo Delong emphasized that the immense scientific and engineering challenges of fusion necessitate a global cooperative effort to share R&D costs, mitigate risks, and accelerate progress. China's active manufacturing and R&D contributions to the ITER project were cited as a primary example of its commitment to this collaborative model. The presentation extended an invitation for broader international partnerships in developing CFETR and subsequent projects, positioning China's national program as an open platform for joint research and development within the global fusion community. This approach aims to integrate China's efforts with the worldwide push toward commercial fusion energy. Source: IAEA Fusion