China seeks nuclear fusion leap through new R&D company

CHINA unveiled a new national company and formed a broad coalition of industrial giants to advance research in nuclear fusion technology.

The consortium led by China National Nuclear was launched on Dec 29, with the goal of targeting nuclear fusion development through high-temperature superconductors, large-capacity energy storage and tritium production, according to a statement by the Corporation.

The group comprises 25 central government-owned enterprises and research institutes, including some of the country’s largest energy and steel firms such as State Grid, China Three Gorges and China Baowu Steel Group, the statement said.

China also announced it was preparing to form China Fusion in an attempt to lead the industry’s development. The nation is vying with competitors such as the US, the UK and Japan to advance the nascent technology. Little information about the structure of the company was unveiled.

China is an active player in the global quest to achieve nuclear fusion power. It is a member of the 35-nation, US$25 billion nuclear fusion power research project, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, and is also running its own studies in the southwestern city of Chengdu. BLOOMBERG