Shaping the Future of Fusion in Europe: Insights from the EFSP Stakeholder Survey
Over recent months, the GO4FUSION project conducted a Europe-wide stakeholder survey to inform the creation of the European Fusion Stakeholder Platform (EFSP). This initiative marks an important step toward establishing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in fusion energy, with the goal of aligning and strengthening efforts across research, industry, and public sectors.
The survey gathered input from over 130 stakeholders, offering valuable insights into current priorities, challenges, and opportunities in Europe’s evolving fusion landscape.
Stakeholder Representation
The survey engaged a broad spectrum of participants, reflecting the diversity and growing maturity of the European fusion ecosystem:
- 62% from private entities
- 31% from research, technology, and education organisations
- 5% from public bodies
- 2% from other legal entities
This distribution highlights the increasing role of private industry in driving commercialisation, alongside strong representation from academia and research institutions.
Geographical Distribution of Responses
Responses were received from organisations in 16 countries, including two non-EU members. Leading contributors included Italy, Spain, and Germany, which together accounted for over 60% of total participation. Additional responses came from France, Poland, Belgium, and other countries across the continent.
This widespread engagement demonstrates the pan-European commitment to advancing fusion energy and the importance of cross-border cooperation in meeting strategic energy and climate objectives.
Key Areas of Interest in Fusion Research
The survey also helped to identify the most important research domains for advancing fusion technologies. Stakeholders highlighted the following top priorities:
- Fusion power plant design and integration
- Diagnostics and control systems
- Tritium breeding blanket technologies
Additionally, respondents pointed to enabling technologies such as advanced magnets, plasma heating, and fuel cycle management as essential to supporting both magnetic and inertial confinement fusion approaches. These findings help define a targeted, forward-looking research agenda for Europe’s fusion community.
Moving Forward with the EFSP
The results of the survey are now guiding the finalisation of the EFSP’s structure, governance model, and operational framework. This platform is being designed to foster collaboration across sectors, support innovation, and ensure Europe remains a global leader in fusion energy development.
While the survey itself has concluded, GO4FUSION remains committed to an inclusive and transparent process. Ongoing feedback from stakeholders is welcome and will continue to shape the EFSP as it evolves.
