China's 'Artificial Sun' to Demonstrate Fusion Electricity by 2030
China's "artificial sun" nuclear fusion project is progressing with a new timeline. The facility aims to demonstrate electricity generation from fusion around 2030.
China plans to demonstrate electricity generation from nuclear fusion by 2030, according to national media reports. The compact fusion experimental device, part of the country's "artificial sun" initiative, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
Key components, two domestically developed superconducting magnets, have successfully completed technical acceptance and full-load parameter testing. This marks a significant step in advancing the project. The entire magnet system is 100% domestically produced, which has resulted in cost reductions, with the price per meter of superconducting material dropping significantly.
The newly tested magnets are larger and more powerful than previous iterations, with individual units increasing in weight from 350 to 580 tons. This enhancement suggests a greater energy output potential for future "artificial sun" applications.
Development of China's fusion energy capabilities has been accelerating. The "EAST" superconducting tokamak is reported to have set records for stable plasma operation at high temperatures. The advancement in superconducting magnets addresses a critical and complex part of the fusion engineering chain.