How China’s huge industrial supply chain may lead to ‘artificial sun’ via nuclear fusion

After a recent breakthrough in nuclear fusion, experts are predicting the start of a race to dominate the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy

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Published: 11:00pm, 16 Jul 2024Updated: 12:04am, 17 Jul 2024

In the eastern city of Shanghai, an experimental Chinese nuclear fusion power plant dubbed “HH70” just announced it has set a world record.

In mid-June, the machine – claimed to be the world’s first fully high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tokamak device – successfully obtained its first plasma.

In the world of nuclear fusion, it is no mean feat. And in a world striving to find clean, cheap and limitless energy, it is great news. After all, there is a reason why nuclear fusion is known as the “holy grail” of clean energy.

According to the device’s developer, Shanghai-based fusion energy company Energy Singularity, the HH70 also created another record: the fastest development and building of a superconducting tokamak device.

The HH70 full high-temperature superconducting tokamak device has just obtained its first plasma, but could this achievement spark a nuclear fusion global energy race? Photo: Energy Singularity

In a recent interview with the state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN), Guo Houyang, co-founder and CTO of Energy Singularity, said the HH70 is smaller and cheaper to build, and was constructed in just two years.

This is an achievement largely backed by China’s thriving industrial chain and engineering strength. The HTS tapes used in the HH70’s magnetic system are supplied by Shanghai Superconductor, a domestic company that has become a major global supplier since its inception in 2011.