Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Supported by Inertia, Pacific Fusion, Proxima Fusion
Fusion has long been an “energy of the future”, forever just out of reach. What are the implications of reaching “ignition”, where fusion plasma generates more energy than it consumes? What needs to happen next? Today, startups and national programmes claim commercial plants could be operating by the 2030s. Are these timelines too optimistic?
Speakers:
Moderator: Oliver Morton, senior briefings editor, The Economist
Jeff Lawson, chief executive and co-founder, Inertia
Dr Kimberly Budil, director, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Will Regan, chief scientist, Pacific Fusion
Peter Roos, chief executive, Novatron Fusion Group
Francesco Sciortino, chief executive, Proxima Fusion
Supported by Inertia, Pacific Fusion, Proxima Fusion
Fusion has long been an “energy of the future”, forever just out of reach. What are the implications of reaching “ignition”, where fusion plasma generates more energy than it consumes? What needs to happen next? Today, startups and national programmes claim commercial plants could be operating by the 2030s. Are these timelines too optimistic?
Speakers:
Moderator: Oliver Morton, senior briefings editor, The Economist
Jeff Lawson, chief executive and co-founder, Inertia
Dr Kimberly Budil, director, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Will Regan, chief scientist, Pacific Fusion
Peter Roos, chief executive, Novatron Fusion Group
Francesco Sciortino, chief executive, Proxima Fusion
