From Lab Experiments to Real-World Power
European lawmakers are calling on the EU to take nuclear fusion seriously as a future source of electricity, arguing that the technology has moved beyond theory and deserves clear political and regulatory backing. In a declaration released this week, members of the European People’s Party said fusion energy could play a key role in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness—if investors are given the certainty they need.
The appeal was made during a public hearing in the European Parliament, where MEPs stressed the need for a predictable legal framework. With fusion projects expected to cost billions, lawmakers warned that unclear rules could scare off private investment just as the technology is gaining momentum.
Lawmakers Urge Clear Signals for Investors
According to the declaration, European industry and private capital are beginning to align around the idea of deploying fusion energy. What’s missing, lawmakers argue, is firm political support and practical tools to help attract funding.
Bulgarian MEP Tsvetelina Penkova said the EU needs to stop treating fusion as a purely scientific exercise and start recognising its commercial potential. German MEP Hildegard Bentele described fusion as Europe’s opportunity to turn its scientific expertise into industrial leadership. Belgian MEP Pascal Arimont added that fusion is no longer a distant dream but a strategic chance to secure clean, safe and reliable energy while boosting the bloc’s global standing.
MEPs are also asking the European Commission to give member states flexibility in setting their own licensing, safety and permitting rules, while clearly defining fusion as distinct from traditional nuclear power.
Fusion vs Fission: What’s the Difference?
Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun and stars, releasing energy when small atomic nuclei merge. This differs from nuclear fission, which produces energy by splitting large atoms and is currently used in power plants—but also generates radioactive waste. Fusion, by contrast, promises a cleaner and safer alternative, though it has yet to be deployed commercially.
Interest in fusion surged after a major breakthrough in the US in 2022, when scientists achieved a controlled fusion reaction that produced more energy than it consumed. In Europe, Germany is leading the way, striking a €7 billion deal with energy company RWE to build a pilot fusion plant by 2035.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to support the creation of a clear regulatory framework for fusion in both Germany and across Europe, arguing that the technology deserves a stronger political commitment than it has received so far.
