IAEA Board of Governors Meeting and General Conference Talk Fusion Deployment
On September 10 and then 16-20, the IAEA held its Board of Governors Meeting and General Conference in Vienna, Austria. Both events had discussions on growth in the fusion industry, development and deployment, and strategy moving forward.
The Board of Governors Meeting began with the IAEA Director General Grossi’s opening statement to the group which touched on fusion deployment and growth in the sector.
“Recent developments have significantly bolstered confidence in the prospects of deploying fusion energy sooner than previously anticipated. The emergence of new players and increased investments are rapidly transforming the fusion sector. Coordinated and collaborative efforts among all relevant stakeholders will be needed to accelerate progress and overcome important challenges.”
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi; Introductory Statement
Following opening statements, US Ambassador Laura S.H. Holgate gave a statement saying that the US welcomes the IAEA’s efforts to support research into fusion demonstration and deployment by Member states.
“Finally, the United States welcomes the Agency’s efforts in supporting Member states in fusion energy research and development and in preparing for fusion demonstration and deployment. There is an opportunity to leverage the lessons from fission for the benefit of fusion, while maintaining independence between fusion and fission from policy, regulatory, and communications standpoints.”
Ambassador Laura S.H. Holgate; US Statement
Deputy Secretary David M. Turk represented the US at the IAEA General Conference and spoke on fusion in his statements, remarking that the “Bold Decadal Vision” for fusion energy is “catalyzing breakthroughs in our labs and an unprecedented partnership with a range of cutting-edge companies.”
Grossi spoke about fusion again at the IAEA General Conference, saying that it “could be deployed sooner than previously anticipated,” once again emphasizing the promise of fusion and its rapid industry growth.
“The emergence of new players and increased investments are rapidly transforming the fusion sector. This has added to the confidence that fusion energy could be deployed sooner than previously anticipated. As progress is made coordinated and collaborative efforts among all relevant stakeholders will be needed to overcome important challenges.”
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi; Statement to the 68th IAEA General Conference
He also highlighted the establishment of the The World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG), previously announced at the 2023 IAEA Fusion Energy Conference in London. The WFEG will hold its inaugural ministerial meeting November 6 in Rome. FIA looks forward to participating.
