Private money in nuclear fusion: The future of energy generation is funded

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• July 11, 2022

Insight summary

Nuclear fusion, a potential game-changer in energy production, has captured the interest of governments, scientists, and high-profile investors for decades. This pursuit of a clean, almost limitless energy source promises to transform how we produce and use power, impacting industries, the environment, and job markets globally. As private investments in nuclear fusion increase, they may reshape the energy landscape and encourage new laws, innovations, and a surge in specialized jobs.

Private money in nuclear fusion context

Nuclear fusion's significant power generation potential has enticed physicists, governments, oil and gas giants, and entrepreneurs for more than 70 years. However, nuclear fusion has never been feasible, even though atomic fission plants have already been supplying electricity to customers worldwide since the 1950s.

Billions of dollars have been spent on approximately 24 different nuclear fusion start-ups, government programs, and significant corporation ventures, including Lockheed Martin's compact fusion reactor. Investors include influential entrepreneurs and business people like Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and organizations such as Cenovus Energy. These investments have been encouraged by the significant benefits that nuclear fusion facilities promise.

For example, fusion energy would generate no long-term waste (making it environmentally friendly) compared to nuclear fission, from which it differs significantly. In addition, it is not possible to make weapons of mass destruction using nuclear fusion technology, with these weapons based primarily on nuclear fission technology. 

With private investors capable of directing billions of dollars of funding towards constructing a low-cost nuclear fusion reactor, these funders and the businesses supporting the industry hope to commercialize the technology and benefit from a first-mover advantage. Whoever succeeds would likely win hundreds of billions of dollars worth of government-funded energy infrastructure contracts, electrify all forms of transport, and allow the heavy industries to abandon carbon-heavy forms of energy.

Disruptive impact

The increase in private investment in nuclear fusion marks a significant change in how we approach climate change and energy. Investors and companies focusing on nuclear fusion are aiming to create a new way to generate electricity that's safe and doesn't harm the environment. This type of energy is almost never-ending and could provide a powerful solution to many of our environmental problems. This shift towards using nuclear fusion for energy could change how we use and think about power, making it more available  than ever before.

This change will affect nearly every industry. Cheaper and more accessible energy means businesses can lower their costs, leading to lower prices and more products being made. Industries that use more energy, like manufacturing and transportation, could become more innovative and efficient. This new energy source could also create new jobs, such as specialized roles in fusion reactor operation, maintenance, and safety. These positions will require a combination of skills in engineering, physics, and environmental science, creating demand for highly skilled workers.

As nuclear fusion grows, it may bring new business opportunities in technology, manufacturing, and construction. For example, startups might emerge, specializing in reactor core design, containment systems, and heat exchange technology. Existing companies in the nuclear industry might expand their focus to include fusion technology, adapting their expertise from traditional fission-based reactors. Meanwhile. governments might also start investing more in this area, including in research, building the necessary infrastructure, and education. 

Implications of private funding driving the nuclear fusion industry 

Wider implications of private investors driving the development of the nuclear fusion industry may include:

• Shifting investment focus from renewable sources like solar and wind to nuclear fusion, possibly leading to a decline in the growth of traditional renewable energy industries.


• Reversing current trends in energy decentralization, as focus shifts to building and maintaining large-scale, centralized fusion energy facilities.


• Governments enacting new laws to oversee the development of the nuclear fusion industry, which may include restrictions on exporting critical technologies.


• Creating a surge in job opportunities across various fields, from specialized construction and engineering to advanced physics and materials science.


• Transforming global energy markets, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuels and diminishing the geopolitical power of oil-rich nations.


• Making energy more affordable and accessible, improving living standards and fueling economic growth, especially in energy-poor regions.


• Spurring innovations in related technologies, such as advanced materials, safety systems, and energy storage solutions.


• Catalyzing a shift in global labor markets, as demand increases for highly skilled professionals in nuclear fusion, potentially leading to a reevaluation of education and training systems in science and technology.

Questions to consider

• Will the commercialization of nuclear fusion research have any disadvantages for consumers and the public at large?


• Should governments or billionaires take the lead in constructing and controlling the technological and energy generation potential of fusion energy?