European Parliament Hosts First-of-a-Kind Fusion Public Hearing
On 5 February, the European Parliament hosted a landmark hearing on Europe’s leadership in fusion energy, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to assess the current landscape and discuss the steps needed to ensure Europe remains at the global forefront of bringing fusion to the grid. FIA Director for Europe Cyrille Mai Thanh joined to give an overview of the global fusion industry and outline key areas of opportunity for European policy.
The hearing, co-hosted by MEP Hildegard Bentele (EPP, Germany) and MEP Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium), came at a pivotal moment, as the European Commission prepares to adopt a European Fusion Strategy later this year. With global competition accelerating, particularly in the US and China, the event underscored the urgency of establishing a clear vision, increasing investment, and creating an enabling regulatory framework for Europe’s fusion sector.
The discussion highlighted that while the European Commission has committed to delivering a fusion strategy, the US and China are moving faster with clear, high-level commitments. The US, for instance, has set a 10-year goal for commercial fusion power plants, supported by robust federal funding and milestone-based private investment programs. Europe must match this level of ambition and ensure its strategy is coherent, actionable, and adequately resourced to maintain its leadership.
Funding remains a major bottleneck. Speakers emphasized that despite Europe’s strong research institutions and industrial expertise, less than 2% of global private fusion investment flows to European companies. To stay competitive, Europe needs targeted funding mechanisms, including milestone-based programs, better access to venture capital, and strategic public investments to de-risk and scale up emerging technologies.
As Francesca Ferrazza, Head of Magnetic Fusion Initiatives at FIA affiliate member Eni, emphasized, “Fusion is no longer a distant prospect but a real industrial opportunity.” To capitalize on this, Europe must adapt its funding frameworks to reflect fusion’s commercial potential – an issue repeatedly underscored during the discussion.
A harmonized regulatory framework is equally critical. Speakers stressed the need to distinguish fusion from fission, a step already taken in the US and UK, to provide clarity for investors. Without clear, risk-appropriate regulations, companies may turn to more predictable jurisdictions to scale their technologies.
Heike Freund, COO of FIA member Marvel Fusion, pointed out, regulatory fragmentation across EU Member States is a major hurdle: “It’s difficult for startups to scale when there’s no consistent regulatory framework across Europe.” Establishing a stable, predictable approach would encourage investment and accelerate commercialization—another key point retained from the discussion.
Europe already has the building blocks for success, from its scientific expertise and industrial base to a strong supply chain exporting fusion components to the US. However, with the global race to fusion accelerating, speakers repeatedly warned that Europe must act swiftly to avoid losing its technological and industrial edge.
To retain leadership and ensure fusion’s commercial deployment within Europe, three immediate priorities emerged from the discussion:
1. A bold, coordinated vision that aligns national and EU-level strategies
2. Targeted funding mechanisms to support startups
3. Regulatory clarity that distinguishes fusion from fission and ensures a harmonized framework across Europe
As ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi noted, ITER remains a cornerstone of global fusion development, but its progress must be complemented by dynamic private-sector innovation.
The European Commission’s upcoming Fusion Strategy will be critical in determining whether Europe can translate its world-class expertise into a thriving, competitive fusion industry. This hearing was an important step in the right direction, but real progress will depend on turning discussions into concrete action.
A special thanks to MEP Hildegard Bentele and MEP Pascal Arimont for hosting this important hearing.
