--- title: "Chinese Scientists Aim to Generate Fusion Power by 2040" description: "Chinese scientists want to achieve fusion power generation by the year 2040, according to a new Reuters story about the country's energy ambitions." date: "2019-04-15" modified: "2019-04-15" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/china-generate-fusion-power-2040" categories: - "Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "fusion" - "fusion energy" - "fusion reactor" - "the digest" --- # Chinese Scientists Aim to Generate Fusion Power by 2040 ![Chinese scientists want to achieve fusion power generation by the year 2040, according to Reuters.]() *\Image: ITER\* ## Smashing Isotopes It's the ultimate energy goal: generating power from smashing together particles at extremely high pressure and temperatures — but without the threat of nuclear catastrophe. There's one big catch, though. Fusion energy has yet to achieve the milestone of actually generating more energy than is required to get the process going. But now, [according to *Reuters*](), are hoping to achieve fusion power generation by the year 2040. ## Tokamak or Not Tokamak China has already invested almost a billion dollars on a tokamak — a twisted-donut-shaped tank that can be used to capture the energy released by highly pressurized, hot hydrogen isotopes. And another $893 million was already allocated for a brand new one, *Reuters* reports. "Five years from now, we will start to build our fusion reactor, which will need another 10 years of construction," Hefei Institute of Physical Science deputy director Song Yuntao told *Reuters*. "After that is built we will construct the power generator and start generating power by around 2040." ## Mega Tokamak Meanwhile, the international nuclear fusion research megaproject ITER, made up of some 35 nations around the world, is planning to achieve fusion in its own massive tokamak [by 2025](). But before those levels of power generation can ever be achieved — or any net power generation at all for that matter — scientists have plenty of hurdles to overcome. **READ MORE:** [China targets nuclear fusion power generation by 2040]() \[*Reuters*\] **More on fusion energy:** *[Scientists Find a New Way to Kickstart Stable Fusion Reactions]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()