Europe’s Fusion Industry Calls for Urgent Industrial Scaleup
Press Release:
In a clear call to action delivered through a European Parliament hearing on 27th January, the Fusion Industry Association urges the EU to show strong policy signals that Europe is committed to delivering commercial fusion to the grid, through:
- A European regulatory framework that distinguishes fusion from fission, and allows Member States to implement national rules for treatment under particle accelerators;
- Technology-neutral, milestone-based EU public funding and large-scale public-private partnership models should be tied to technical achievements, drive competition, innovation, private investment and, most importantly, de-risk deployment.
Brussels, 27th January 2026
The Fusion Industry Association (FIA) welcomed the successful conclusion of the European Parliament hearing “Fusion Energy in Europe: Call for Action,” held in Brussels. The high-level event brought together European policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and innovators to examine how Europe can translate growing political momentum behind fusion energy into a concrete industrial opportunity.
Hosted by Members of the European Parliament Hildegard Bentele (EPP, Germany) and Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium), the hearing featured contributions from European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva, German Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär, key Members of the EU Parliament, and senior representatives from across the fusion ecosystem. Discussions focused on translating political support for fusion into a concrete industrial opportunity, at the intersection of energy security, industrial competitiveness, and innovation policy.
The hearing comes at a decisive moment, with the European Commission set to publish the EU’s first Fusion Strategy and Member States such as Germany advancing national initiatives. Participants stressed that choices made now will determine whether Europe secures leadership in the race to commercial fusion – or falls behind.Pascal Arimont, Belgian Member of the European Parliament says: “Today’s hearing showed a simple truth: the race is on, and Europe can lead, but only if we act now. To make fusion bankable, we need clear rules that fit fusion – not copied from nuclear fission – faster permitting for first projects, and credible risk-sharing through milestone-based support and strong public-private partnerships. This is about keeping strategic clean-tech investment and future jobs in Europe. That is why we launched a Call for Action today, in which we urge the European Commission to take it up in its EU Fusion Strategy, with clear delivery steps and a timetable that turns momentum into projects on the ground.”
Hildegard Bentele, German Member of the European Parliament, added that “Fusion is Europe’s chance to turn scientific leadership into industrial power, strengthening competitiveness and sustainability, energy security, and resilience in a rapidly changing world.”
With seven fusion startups based in the EU, the FIA called for regulatory clarity that distinguishes fusion from fission in member states across the continent, stronger public–private collaboration that directly integrates startups, and milestone-based funding to attract private investments and de-risk deployment. Olga Bakardzhieva, FIA EU Director declares “Competitors are moving faster with coordinated models; without rapid action, Europe will lose ground. We need to act now.”
About The Fusion Industry Association (FIA)
The FIA is the leading voice of the fusion industry and a central point for coordination across the global fusion community to support accelerated growth.
Europe’s fusion industry
There are seven fusion startups in the EU: two in France (Renaissance Fusion and GenF), one in Sweden (Novatron Fusion), and four in Germany (Proxima Fusion, Focused Energy, Marvel Fusion, and Gauss Fusion). While they have raised nearly €1 billion collectively, private investment in EU fusion startups accounts for less than 10% of global investment.
Contact media
Olga Bakardzhieva, EU Affairs Director
olga@fusionindustryassociation.org
+32 488 15 21 77
Caroline Anderson, Director of External Affairs
caroline@fusionindustryassociation.org
+1 704 936 8331
