Nuclear Fusion Spring Kickoff: From Laboratory to "Productivity Ledger" The industry has entered a "15-year period that can be planned"

“Once the principle verification problem is solved, the future will focus on industry chain support and cost control. Fusion has become something that can be scheduled.” At the recent Fusion Financial Institution Alliance 2026 Work Plan Seminar held in Hefei, Wang Xiaobo, Director of Scientific and Technological Development at the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center Energy Research Institute, introduced.

Several attendees stated that nuclear fusion is moving from the laboratory toward industrialization, and its strategic value and commercial potential are attracting capital to accelerate deployment. Wang Xiaobo further explained that the domestic nuclear fusion technology roadmap has now formed a consensus, with substantial breakthroughs achieved in core areas such as materials and devices. Clear planning provides a timetable and certainty for industry development, transforming the fusion industry from “an eternal 50 years” to “a planned 15 years.”

“We have already solved the fundamental question of ‘whether it can be done,’ and the future focus is on engineering and cost control.” He further noted that China’s engineering capabilities and complete industrial system are the greatest confidence in turning the scientific dream of fusion into practical application. Once engineering breakthroughs are achieved, fusion will open up a huge supporting market along the industrial chain, with influence comparable to the semiconductor industry’s start 15 years ago.

Finance News Agency reporter noted that fusion companies, due to early-stage lack of stable income, need investment to pass the R&D period, which requires capital to have longer-term patience. Some believe that the fusion industry is entering a driven phase formed by the joint efforts of “companies, capital, and national strategies.” Fusion has risen from a purely scientific issue to a national strategic matter, shifting from “cost accounting” to “productivity accounting,” with unprecedented policy support.

It is understood that despite the broad industry prospects, the current number of fusion industry chain companies is small, with about 300 full-chain companies and 130 core supply chain firms, most of which are less than three years old, showing a “small but refined” R&D-driven characteristic. This contrasts sharply with the semiconductor industry, which has over 3,000 companies, and challenges traditional investment logic.

Dong Wei, CEO of Hefei Taia Fusion Technology Co., Ltd., said this also brings investment opportunities to the capital market: in the primary market, early-stage companies urgently need capital infusion, providing an excellent window for focused hard-tech funds; in the secondary market, as technology matures, listed companies will have strong industry integration capabilities.

Therefore, connecting technological recognition in the primary market with financing channels in the secondary market, and rapidly building industry giants through mergers and acquisitions, will be a key focus in the future. “It’s a bit like the semiconductor industry 15 years ago—national teams have entered the field, and local support is following.” He believes this is a historic opportunity driven by a profound strategic layout.

Currently, fusion as a core development direction of future energy systems is crucial for energy transformation and achieving technological independence and self-reliance. Its technological R&D,成果转化与产业化落地, urgently require precise financial capital empowerment and ecosystem collaboration.

A major focus of this conference is how to build an efficient financial cooperation mechanism to accelerate the development of the fusion industry. On January 15, this year, the “Atomic Energy Law of the People’s Republic of China” was officially implemented, and the “14th Five-Year Plan” listed fusion as a new economic growth point; on January 16, the Fusion Financial Institution Alliance was officially established in Hefei. The alliance was jointly initiated by UC Silicon Valley (Anhui), China Science and Innovation Star, Junlian Capital, Lenovo Star, Hefei Innovation Investment, and 15 other institutions.

Wu Hailong, Chairman of UC Silicon Valley Service Platform (Anhui) Co., Ltd., specifically mentioned that UC Silicon Valley has been continuously deploying in the fusion sector, and the formation of the Fusion Financial Institution Alliance aims to use financial “fresh water” to nurture technological seeds. He believes that fusion needs more long-term capital support and greater foresight and resolve from financial institutions.

Hefei Financial Illustrated: Adding Some Practical Insights

(Source: Finance News Agency)