US Energy Secretary Expects Nuclear Fusion to Power World Within 15 Years

The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, is aggressively pushing a nuclear energy renaissance to achieve energy independence and address climate change, including executive orders to streamline regulatory processes and ambitious goals to quadruple nuclear energy production by 2050. Innovations in nuclear technology, such as small modular reactors and more efficient fuel types, are gaining momentum with significant industry investment. Meanwhile, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has expressed optimism that nuclear fusion—an energy source mimicking the sun's power—could be integrated into the electric grid within 8 to 15 years, enabled by advances in artificial intelligence and national lab research, although some experts note fusion remains experimental with major engineering challenges. Globally, China’s experimental 'artificial sun' tokamak reactor has achieved important milestones in steady-state, long-pulse plasma operation, advancing fusion research toward practical and sustainable energy solutions. The potential of fusion energy to provide abundant, clean power without greenhouse gas emissions or nuclear waste is driving international scientific focus, and U.S. officials suggest fusion could soon revolutionize the global energy landscape. Additionally, the nuclear sector's role in supporting the AI revolution is highlighted by partnerships between small modular reactor developers and major technology companies.