Commonwealth Fusion’s CEO sees UAE primed for new energy tech
Abu Dhabi has backed the US firm that plans to switch on its prototype fusion machine next year.
Massachusetts-based Commonwealth Fusion Systems has identified the oil and gas industry as a potential partner in its pursuit of fusion technology. CEO Bob Mumgaard highlighted the industry's shared expertise, stating that the skills and tools needed for fusion development are similar to those in hydrocarbons. The UAE, with its track record in nuclear power plant construction and embrace of AI, is well-positioned to adopt fusion technology, according to Mumgaard.
Abu Dhabi's government-owned fusion fund, Plynth Energy, recently acquired a minority stake in Commonwealth, investing over $100 million, bringing the company's total funding to $4 billion. Commonwealth is currently building a prototype in Massachusetts, using powerful magnets and hydrogen isotopes to achieve a fusion reaction hotter than the sun's core.
The machine is about 80% complete and is set to start up in 2027, with the goal of demonstrating that it can release more energy than it consumes. The company plans to move on to a 400-megawatt plant in Virginia, with Google and Italian energy company Eni already expressing interest. While global adoption of fusion on a large scale is still decades away, the US-Iran conflict is further accelerating the need for secure, resilient energy systems, which fusion offers as an emission-free option.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
