General Fusion has reached a critical milestone in its pursuit of zero-carbon fusion energy with the successful formation of a magnetised plasma in its Lawson Machine 26 (LM26).
This marks a significant step in proving the viability of magnetised target fusion – a groundbreaking approach to cost-effective fusion energy.
LM26 is now forming plasmas daily, with the team optimising performance ahead of the next crucial phase: compressing plasmas with a lithium liner to trigger fusion and generate heat.
Paving the way for commercial fusion energy
LM26 is a result of over two decades of technological advancement, designed to achieve a series of key technical benchmarks.
These include reaching 10 million degrees Celsius (1 keV), then 100 million degrees Celsius (10 keV), and eventually achieving a scientific breakeven equivalent (100% Lawson criteria) in a commercially relevant manner.
The rapid development of LM26 – designed, assembled, and made operational within just 16 months – highlights General Fusion’s agility and commitment to advancing fusion technology.
The company’s extensive experience, including 24 plasma injectors, over 200,000 plasma formations, and past fusion neutron generation, has de-risked LM26 and set the stage for the next leap forward.
How magnetised target fusion works
Unlike conventional fusion approaches that rely on expensive lasers or superconducting magnets, magnetised target fusion uses mechanical compression to create fusion conditions in short pulses. This unique method enables a more scalable and cost-efficient power plant design.
General Fusion’s approach also allows the plant to produce its own fuel while integrating a built-in method for extracting and utilising the generated energy.
This makes magnetised target fusion a promising alternative to traditional energy sources, offering a path to sustainable, large-scale power generation.
A future of zero-carbon power
Once commercialised, a single General Fusion power plant is projected to deliver 300 MWe of electricity – enough to power approximately 150,000 Canadian homes.
The compact design allows plants to be built close to energy demand centres, reducing transmission costs and supporting existing infrastructure.
The company’s magnetised target fusion technology is particularly well-suited for repowering existing power generation sites and providing industrial steam heat.
With two 150 MWe machines running in tandem, the system offers a competitive alternative to fossil fuels while reducing carbon emissions.
Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion, said: “We are doing what we do best – nimbly advancing our transformative technology and getting real results that matter.
“Unlike other approaches, magnetised target fusion is designed from the ground up to produce practical power.
“As a result, our path to delivering clean fusion energy to homes and businesses following LM26 is more straightforward and streamlined than other technologies.”
Investment and economic impact
General Fusion’s advancements have been supported by CA$69m from the Canadian Government’s Strategic Innovation Fund since 2019.
This funding has played a key role in attracting private capital, contributing to an impressive CA$440m raised to date.
The company has also significantly impacted the Canadian economy, returning CA$3 in global private investment for every public dollar received.
Since 2019, General Fusion has injected approximately CA$141m into the local British Columbia economy, reinforcing Canada’s position as a leader in fusion energy innovation.
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, added: “General Fusion’s work is reinforcing Canada’s status as a powerful innovator in nuclear science and technology.
“Through a combination of federal investment, industry collaboration, and academic research, our nuclear industry is poised to seize the global economic opportunities before us – while growing jobs in Canada and protecting our energy economy.
“I am pleased to see General Fusion make significant progress in their work to foster energy innovation, increase productivity, and ensure continued British Columbian and Canadian leadership in the economy of the future.”
Next steps: Bringing fusion to the grid
With LM26 on track to achieve groundbreaking technical milestones, General Fusion is moving closer to its mission of delivering commercial magnetised target fusion power to the grid within the next decade.
As plasma compression trials commence, the company is poised to reshape the future of clean energy – bringing fusion power one step closer to reality.
