Viewpoint: Fusion’s lessons from fission, as commercial deployments approach
With commercial fusion plants expected to begin operating in the mid-2030s, the fusion industry is increasingly focused on creating the regulatory, planning, market and financial frameworks needed to support deployment. The UK is highlighted as a leader in establishing this ecosystem, with lessons from the fission sector particularly relevant in areas such as regulation, infrastructure, workforce and supply chains.
A key priority is proportionate regulation. Unlike fission, fusion does not involve a self-sustaining chain reaction or produce long-lived radioactive waste, suggesting that applying conventional fission regulatory regimes wholesale could unnecessarily hinder deployment while maintaining safety. Planning systems should likewise provide early certainty for developers while allowing local processes to focus on genuinely local impacts. The UK’s draft EN8 national policy statement for fusion power plants is cited as an example.
The article also stresses the importance of an investable electricity market, noting how mechanisms such as Contracts for Difference helped accelerate offshore wind. Finally, fusion developers should learn from fission’s strong relationships with host communities, which will be essential for gaining public acceptance and supporting new fusion facilities.
Fresh record set for nuclear generation in 2025
Nuclear reactors worldwide generated a record 2,702 TWh of electricity in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 2,667 TWh in 2024, according to the World Nuclear Association’s World Nuclear Outlook Report. The global fleet also maintained high reliability, with an average capacity factor of 83.7%.
The report highlights increased construction activity, with 82 GWe of nuclear capacity under construction at the end of 2025 and 11 reactors beginning construction during the year. Planned, proposed and potential capacity reached 416 GWe. If all national targets are achieved and the existing fleet continues operating, global nuclear capacity could reach 1,457 GWe by 2050, more than triple the current 423 GWe. However, around 550 GWe of proposed capacity still needs to be translated into specific projects.
The largest additions are expected in countries already using nuclear power, notably the USA, China, France, Russia and India. The report calls for durable investment frameworks, streamlined regulation, stronger supply chains and workforce development, while emphasising that maintaining and extending existing reactors is the fastest and most cost-effective way to secure low-carbon electricity.
Google signs up for electricity from Finnish nuclear power plant
Google has signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Finland’s Fortum covering up to 50% of the capacity of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. The agreement, starting in 2028 and covering 50% of the plant’s output from 2030 to 2049, is intended to provide predictable revenue to support investments needed to extend Loviisa’s operation through 2050.
Loviisa’s two VVER-440 reactors currently generate more than 10% of Finland’s electricity. Fortum has an investment programme of about EUR1 billion for the lifetime extension, with around EUR700 million of projects still awaiting investment decisions. The PPA is also expected to support a further 10 MWe capacity increase, in addition to a 38 MWe uprate already under way and due for completion in 2028.
Google, which plans to invest EUR13 billion in Finnish data centres and infrastructure in 2027–2028, will also explore opportunities with Fortum to develop new nuclear reactors at Loviisa. The companies will cooperate on renewable generation, flexibility solutions and new nuclear power, including a 94 MW battery system planned for Google’s Kajaani data centre.
Czech Regulator Approves Westinghouse Fuel For Temelín-1 Nuclear Plant
The Czech State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) has approved the use of nuclear fuel supplied by US company Westinghouse at the Temelín nuclear power station. The new fuel assemblies are scheduled to be loaded into Unit 1 during a planned shutdown at the end of 2026.
ČEZ said the approval followed several years of preparation, testing and safety analyses, including almost two years of assessments of the fuel’s behaviour during normal operation, its compatibility with the reactor, and requirements for handling and storage. ČEZ CEO Daniel Beneš described the approval as an important step towards strengthening Czech energy security and diversifying nuclear fuel supplies. The company also maintains strategic fuel reserves at both Temelín and Dukovany.
ČEZ began diversifying its fuel suppliers in 2018 by signing a contract with Westinghouse and expanded the effort in 2022 with a contract with France’s Framatome. The move reduces dependence on Russia’s TVEL for fuel for Soviet-designed VVER reactors. Temelín-1 is a 1,027 MW VVER V-320 pressurised water reactor that began commercial operation in 2002.