The era of theunlimited energy and zero emissions is closer: the joint venture between Eni e With, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), has been given the green light to handle radioactive materials and ignite the first plasma in 2026. This milestone, supported by two billion dollars in funding, marks a key moment in the path to Sparc, fusion power plant prototype destined to revolutionize the energy market.
Towards the merger: safety first
The new license for Sparc, granted by Massachusetts, confirms that the CFS team meets all safety requirements. “To address climate change, fusion energy is crucial,” he explained Corinne Mitchell, radiological safety manager. And the message is clear: “it is not enough to overcome the technical challenges, we must also ensure safety for workers, the public and the environment. This Massachusetts license shows that we can do it. Hence the ongoing collaboration with the Massachusetts Radiation Control Program to ensure the safety of the Sparc plant and compliance with regulations at every stage of the project.
A Tight Timetable for Clean Energy
Sparc, with a budget of around half a billion dollars, is an ambitious project but only the beginning: the next stop is Arc, the first real commercial plant, which could power the grid as early as the early 2030s. In the meantime, the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) has chosen a more flexible regulation for fusion plants like Arc, treating them as nuclear medicine facilities and distinguishing them from traditional fission plants.
This decision reflects a different approach: while fission breaks down heavy atoms like uranium, fusion aims for cleaner energy with much lower risks. CFS is now also looking to Europe, hoping for a regulatory update to favor fusion on a global scale.
