A major breakthrough in nuclear fusion research has been achieved by the CEA’s WEST tokamak, which sustained a high-temperature plasma for an unprecedented 1,337 seconds. This milestone surpasses the previous record of 1,066 seconds set by China’s EAST tokamak, marking a 25% improvement.
The plasma, heated to a scorching 50 million degrees Celsius, represents a significant step toward the long-term goal of achieving sustained fusion reactions. This advancement is particularly important for future fusion power plants, including the ITER project, which aims to produce energy through sustained plasma confinement.
To achieve this record, researchers at WEST utilized 2 MW of heating power, carefully managing plasma stability and energy efficiency. Located in Cadarache, France, WEST continues to serve as a critical testbed for next-generation fusion technology.
Despite this progress, experts caution that numerous challenges remain before fusion can become a viable energy source. Achieving net energy gain—where more energy is produced than consumed—remains the key hurdle. Scientists are now focused on extending plasma durations further and increasing temperatures to levels necessary for practical fusion power generation.
As the world seeks sustainable energy solutions, advancements like these bring humanity closer to the promise of limitless, clean energy through nuclear fusion.
Sources: CEA, IAN, ASN, NucNet, ScienceAlert, NewAtlas.
