Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), today launched the World Fusion Outlook 2025, highlighting how fusion energy is entering a new phase of implementation as it becomes a cornerstone of national energy strategies and industrial planning.  

The World Fusion Outlook (WFO) continues to serve as the definitive global reference on the latest progress in fusion research and development, fusion plant concepts and commercialization pathways – for both the private and public sectors. “The Outlook is not just a snapshot of progress; it’s a glimpse into our energy future that is arriving fast,” said Director General Grossi, emphasizing the transformative potential of fusion energy during his opening remarks.

In this third edition of the WFO – launched today at the joint opening of the Second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) and the 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC) in Chengdu, China - a new chapter explores the potential longterm contribution of fusion energy to the global electricity generation mix through the end of the century. Drawing on a global modelling study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the analysis presents the global electricity generation mix in different cost cases across different regions of the world. It also demonstrates the potential economic benefits of fusion in terms of gross domestic product. 

The WFO also spotlights a potentially transformative technological development in fusion energy: high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets. HTS materials can enable the design of more compact and efficient fusion machines, but important design compromises and engineering trade-offs are still needed. The WFO provides a balanced assessment of HTS magnet development, outlining both the promise and the challenges to fully realize their potential in commercial fusion deployment.

Fostering global collaboration in fusion

The WFEG, launched in 2024, serves as a global platform to unite stakeholders from industry, governments, academia, regulators and public to accelerate the research, development, demonstration and deployment of fusion energy. This year’s meeting builds on the momentum from the inaugural meeting in Rome, expanding the dialogue on research and developments towards demonstration and deployment, fusion regulation and global supply chains.

Opened in parallel with the WFEG meeting, the FEC - running until Saturday - provides a global platform for sharing the latest research and development in fusion energy. It brings together public institutions and private companies, featuring worldwide advances in fusion experiments, theory, engineering, materials, and commercialization pathways.

With participation from over 50 countries, international organizations, research organizations, academia and private companies, this year’s conference is poised to build on the legacy of prior conferences. It is expected to play a role in identifying new opportunities and mechanisms for sustained and effective global collaboration in fusion energy.