DOE’s latest fusion strategy aims for commercial energy by the 2030s

The Department of Energy has released what it is calling a "finalized" national strategy to accelerate the development and commercialization of fusion energy, with the goal of scaling up the private fusion sector by the mid-2030s.

Released on June 9, the Fusion Science and Technology (FS&T) Roadmap builds on an earlier road map document the DOE released in October 2025, which itself echoed plans issued by the DOE's Office of Fusion Energy Sciences in 2023 and 2024.

According to the DOE, this finalized road map brings together fusion science, technology, infrastructure, workforce development, and commercialization priorities into a single national strategy, outlining how the DOE, industry, universities, and national laboratories will work together to accelerate the path toward U.S. commercial fusion energy.

Road map highlights: The FS&T Roadmap identifies the critical science and technology gaps that must be closed to realize fusion pilot plants and strengthen U.S. leadership in the global fusion industry.

The strategy is built around three primary drivers:

Building critical infrastructure to close fusion materials and technology gaps.

Innovating through advanced research, high-performance computing, and AI.

Growing the U.S. fusion ecosystem through public-private partnerships, supply chain development, workforce growth, and commercialization pathways.

According to the DOE, the FS&T Roadmap was developed with input from more than 800 scientists and engineers across the public and private sectors and reflects contributions from more than 15 private companies, more than 10 national laboratories, and more than 70 universities.

The road map aligns with DOE's Genesis Mission and will be implemented through the department's newly established Office of Fusion, the DOE said.

Public-private partnerships revisited: The DOE said its strategy focuses on continued federal collaboration with the private fusion sector.

"To sustain and scale fusion energy, bridging public and private sector talent, expertise, and resources is required. This approach demands a rethinking of how DOE leverages assets and prioritizes investments in support of fusion energy development," the FS&T Roadmap states.

The DOE said its ability to support the road map's milestones and timelines is contingent on future public-private partnerships and future congressional appropriations, and that the document does not commit the department to specific funding levels.

Quote: "Fusion energy has entered a new era defined by extraordinary scientific progress and public-private momentum," said DOE Undersecretary for Science Darío Gil. "With this roadmap, we now have the clarity, coordination, and sustained commitment needed to turn the promise of fusion into a reality for the American people."