In the 1990s, the Joint European Torus (JET) tokamak, located in the United Kingdom, generated 16 MW of fusion power. This output represented a substantial achievement in controlled fusion research at the time, demonstrating the potential of tokamak devices to produce significant fusion energy. The experiment utilized a deuterium-tritium (D-T) fuel mix, the most reactive fusion fuel cycle for current magnetic confinement devices. Source: en

This 16 MW record was a critical benchmark, validating theoretical models and engineering designs for large-scale tokamaks. It provided crucial data for the development of subsequent fusion projects, including ITER, which aims to achieve sustained fusion power generation. The success at JET underscored the importance of magnetic confinement fusion as a viable path toward a fusion power plant. Source: en

This 16 MW record was a critical benchmark, validating theoretical models and engineering designs for large-scale tokamaks.

The JET facility, a collaborative international project, has been instrumental in advancing fusion science and technology since its inception. Its operational history includes numerous experiments that have pushed the boundaries of plasma performance, including plasma duration, temperature, and confinement. The 16 MW achievement was a culmination of years of research and development in plasma physics and fusion engineering. Source: en

While the 16 MW output was a record for fusion power, it is important to distinguish this from net energy gain (Q_plasma > 1) or electrical power generation (MWe). The energy input required to sustain the plasma and operate the facility exceeded the fusion power produced. Nonetheless, the milestone was vital for demonstrating the physics principles and engineering feasibility of high-power fusion reactions. Source: en

The record set by JET in the 1990s remained unbroken until 2022, when the facility itself surpassed its previous achievement. This longevity highlights the significant challenge in achieving and sustaining high fusion power outputs and the incremental nature of progress in the field. Future research continues to focus on increasing both fusion power and energy gain. Source: en