Proxima’s stellarator fusion machine; UKAEA invests in First Light Fusion; $95M magnet deal with Tokamak Energy moves UK closer to fusion power plant

Proxima’s stellarator fusion machine; UKAEA invests in First Light Fusion; $95M magnet deal with Tokamak Energy moves UK closer to fusion power plant

From Fusion News by Fusion Industry Association

April 29, 2026 · 10 min

About this episode

Dr. Cyd Cowley provides an update on recent developments in the global fusion energy sector.

Dr. Cyd Cowley, working at the intersection of fusion and AI at FIA affiliate member digiLab, gives today's global fusion news update. Links to all of the stories mentioned are included below. 1. The ‘dumb machine’ promising a clean energy breakthrough https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvm11xrn6o 2. UKAEA backs First Light Fusion in £25m funding round https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/first-light-fusion-raises-25m-for-commercial-fusion-push 3. US firm to scale laser-based fusion ‘breakthrough’ with new partnership https://interestingengineering.com/energy/laser-nuclear-fusion-moves-to-private-sector 4. $95M Tokamak Energy deal moves UK closer to building a fusion power plant https://interestingengineering.com/energy/uk-fusion-tokamak-energy-magnet-contract Bonus: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69e87bd8d36883a64473b7ec/ukaea-strategy-2026-2030.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3AK_yi-Hww

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Cyd Cowley

Topics covered

  • fusion energy
  • funding in fusion
  • fusion technology advancements
  • UK fusion initiatives
  • AI in fusion

Keywords

  • fusion news
  • clean energy
  • UKAEA
  • First Light Fusion
  • Tokamak Energy
  • digiLab
  • funding
  • stellarator
  • laser fusion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fusion Industry Association, digiLab, UKAEA, First Light Fusion, Tokamak Energy

Products: stellarator fusion machine, laser-based fusion

Places: UK

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