Fusion Gain Factor (Q) Over Time
Key Fusion Milestones
Record 16.1 MW of fusion power achieved at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in the UK.
National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved net fusion energy gain (3.15 MJ output vs 2.05 MJ laser energy input).
On April 7, 2025, LLNL's National Ignition Facility set an official record delivering 8.6 MJ fusion yield from 2.08 MJ laser input, using tungsten-doped diamond capsules.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems reaches ~75% construction completion on the SPARC HTS tokamak targeting net-energy testing, while Helion advances its 2028 Microsoft power agreement.
The 3 Pillars of Commercial Fusion
1. Ignition (Achieved)
Producing more thermal energy out of the fusion reaction than the laser/magnetic energy input.
2. Engineering Gain (Q_engineering > 1)
Generating net electricity accounting for total wall-plug efficiency of power systems.
3. Grid Integration
Building scalable pilot plants producing electricity continuously under 5¢/kWh.