A new transatlantic agreement has been announced between the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) to advance commercial fusion energy.

The five-year collaboration is the result of a shared mission of both organisations to leverage innovative research and the speed of the private sector to support the “fastest path” to low carbon fusion energy, based on the same processes that power the sun and stars.

The new agreement establishes the terms under which a series of work projects between US-based CFS and UKAEA will support the development of fusion energy and related technologies.

The scope of the collaboration could include access to fusion-adjacent technology facilities, including robotics; collaboration on fuel cycle technologies; and work to identify and answer emerging plasma physics questions.

The announcement comes after the UK Government confirmed future fusion energy facilities will be regulated by the Environment Agency and Health and Safety Executive.

Prof. Ian Chapman, UKAEA CEO, a said: “Achieving our shared missions to deliver low carbon and sustainable fusion energy involves working at the forefront of science, engineering and technology. This new collaboration agreement with CFS will help push these developments and capabilities, drive innovation and accelerate progress.

“Fusion presents an exciting opportunity for the UK and we’re proud our ground-breaking work here continues to support economic growth and attracts such leading international partners.”