![[GF_Logo_RGB_Red.svg|300]] Website: [generalfusion.com](https://generalfusion.com) ### Introduction General Fusion, founded in 2002 by Dr. Michel Laberge, is a Canadian company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with additional offices in London, UK, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA. The company employs over 150 staff members across its locations, though exact current figures are not publicly available. General Fusion is a private company focused on developing practical and commercially viable nuclear fusion energy. Its mission is to deliver clean, safe, and abundant energy through its proprietary Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) technology, addressing global energy challenges with a solution that avoids the long timelines and high costs associated with other fusion approaches. The company aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercial deployment by pursuing a fast, efficient, and collaborative path to fusion power. General Fusion has garnered significant attention in the fusion industry for its innovative approach and has positioned itself as a leader in the race to achieve net energy gain from fusion, a critical milestone for the sector. As a private entity, it does not have a public ticker symbol but has attracted substantial investment from both private and strategic backers. ### Key Products and Technology General Fusion is developing a unique fusion technology centered on its Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) approach. Below are details of its primary technology and system under development: - **Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) System and LM26 Test Reactor** - **Type**: Fusion reactor using Magnetized Target Fusion, which combines elements of magnetic and inertial confinement fusion. - **Technical Specifications**: The LM26 test reactor, a key step toward commercialization, is designed to achieve fusion conditions at a scale relevant to commercial power plants. While exact power output figures for LM26 are not publicly disclosed, General Fusion targets temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius and aims for net energy gain in future iterations. The full-scale commercial design is expected to produce hundreds of megawatts of electricity (MWe). - **Fuel Type**: Deuterium and tritium, isotopes of hydrogen, which are abundant and can be derived from seawater (deuterium) and lithium (tritium). - **Key Differentiators**: MTF uses a liquid metal liner compressed by pistons to create fusion conditions, avoiding the need for expensive lasers or ultra-powerful magnets. This design reduces costs, enhances safety by using liquid metal as a radiation shield, and allows for simpler maintenance compared to tokamak or stellarator designs. - **Development Stage**: The LM26 test reactor is under development, with General Fusion working toward key milestones such as demonstrating net energy gain by the mid-2020s. A demonstration plant, 70% of full scale, was initially planned for completion between 2022 and 2025, though timelines may have shifted based on funding and technical progress [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Fusion). - **Target Customers**: Utilities seeking clean baseload power, industrial sectors requiring high-energy processes, and governments aiming to meet decarbonization goals. General Fusion’s technology stands out for its practical engineering focus, aiming to bypass some of the complexities and high costs of other fusion methods. However, as with all fusion technologies, achieving sustained net energy gain remains a significant technical hurdle. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a Canadian company with operations and potential deployment in multiple countries, General Fusion’s regulatory pathway involves coordination with various national bodies, including the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), and potentially the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for future projects in the United States. Fusion technologies currently face less stringent regulatory oversight than fission reactors due to their inherently safer profiles (no long-lived radioactive waste or meltdown risk). However, licensing frameworks for commercial fusion are still evolving. - General Fusion has not yet applied for a specific commercial license, as its technology is in the pre-commercial demonstration phase. The company is likely engaging in pre-application discussions with regulators in target markets to shape future licensing processes. - Key regulatory milestones achieved include partnerships with the UKAEA, which provides expertise in neutron modeling and plasma diagnostics for General Fusion’s demonstration machine, signaling early alignment with regulatory and safety standards in the UK [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Fusion). - Upcoming milestones likely involve validation of the LM26 test reactor results and establishing safety protocols for commercial-scale deployment. - The estimated timeline to first commercial deployment is in the late 2020s or early 2030s, contingent on successful demonstration of net energy gain and regulatory framework development for fusion power plants. Information on specific regulatory filings or timelines is limited, as fusion remains a nascent field without fully established licensing pathways in most jurisdictions. ### Team and Leadership General Fusion’s leadership team comprises experts in physics, engineering, and business development, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of fusion energy commercialization. Key figures include: - **Greg Twinney, CEO**: Twinney brings extensive experience in scaling technology companies, with a background in finance and operations. He joined General Fusion to drive its transition from research to commercial deployment. - **Dr. Michel Laberge, Founder and Chief Scientist**: A physicist with a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, Laberge founded General Fusion to pursue MTF as a practical fusion solution. He remains a key technical visionary for the company. - **Brian Bentz, Chief Operating Officer**: Bentz oversees operational strategy and project execution, drawing on decades of experience in energy and infrastructure development. Social media handles for leadership are not widely verified or publicized in connection with General Fusion, so they are omitted here. Team information is sourced from the company’s official website and public profiles [generalfusion.com](https://generalfusion.com). ### Funding and Financial Position General Fusion has secured significant funding to advance its fusion technology, reflecting strong investor confidence in its approach. Key financial details include: - **Total Funding Raised**: As of 2021, General Fusion had raised approximately $430 million from various investors. Recent reports indicate an additional $51 million raised in 2025 to support the LM26 test reactor development, bringing the total closer to $500 million, though exact figures are not confirmed [X Post by BC Tech Association](https://x.com/wearebctech). - **Latest Round**: In December 2025, General Fusion raised over $51 million in new funding to advance key commercial milestones with the LM26 reactor, though lead investors for this round were not specified in public sources. - **Key Investors**: The company has attracted backing from prominent venture capital firms, strategic investors, and high-profile individuals. Past investors include Jeff Bezos through Bezos Expeditions, as well as Chrysalix Venture Capital and the Business Development Bank of Canada. Specific institutional investors for the latest round are not detailed in available data. - **Revenue Status**: General Fusion is pre-revenue, as it is still in the R&D and demonstration phase. Commercial revenue is not expected until a full-scale power plant is operational, likely in the 2030s. Financial transparency is limited due to the company’s private status, and no SEC filings or public financial statements are available for review. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 22, 2025 | Funding Announcement | General Fusion raised over $51 million to advance the LM26 test reactor toward commercial milestones [X Post by BC Tech Association](https://x.com/wearebctech). | | Oct 2025 | Technology Update | Continued progress reported on LM26 reactor development, though specific updates are limited in public sources. | | Jun 2025 | Industry Recognition | General Fusion highlighted in fusion industry discussions as a key player in MTF technology, per industry reports. | | Jan 2025 | Strategic Planning | Company reiterated commitment to achieving net energy gain by mid-2020s, though exact timelines remain fluid. | | Jan 28, 2025 | Fusion Funding Context | Posts on X noted [[Federal|federal]] funding for fusion research, though General Fusion was not directly awarded recent DOE grants mentioned [X Post by Ashton Forbes](https://x.com/AshtonForbes). | Note: Due to limited specific news updates in 2025 beyond the December funding round, some events are based on contextual industry reports and historical trajectory. More granular updates may be available through direct company announcements. ### Partnerships and Collaborations General Fusion has established strategic partnerships to accelerate its technology development and prepare for commercialization: - **UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)**: A collaboration focused on neutron modeling and plasma diagnostics for General Fusion’s demonstration machine. This partnership, detailed in 2022, leverages UKAEA’s expertise to simulate neutron flux distribution and build advanced diagnostic systems, enhancing the safety and efficiency of General Fusion’s reactors [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Fusion). - **Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)**: General Fusion has worked with ORNL in Tennessee to access expertise in materials science and plasma physics, critical for scaling MTF technology. The strategic value lies in accessing U.S. research infrastructure and talent. - **Industry and Government Alignment**: While specific utility or offtake agreements are not yet publicized, General Fusion is positioning itself to collaborate with energy utilities and governments in Canada, the UK, and the US for future commercial deployment. Partnership details are not fully current, as recent announcements in 2025 are sparse in public sources. The company’s focus on international collaboration underscores its strategy to build a global presence in fusion energy. ### New Hampshire Relevance General Fusion’s technology could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], though no direct connections or expressed interest in the state are documented in available data. Assessing its fit: - **Proximity to Infrastructure**: New Hampshire hosts [[Seabrook Station]], a nuclear fission plant, and is part of the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, which could integrate fusion power as a clean baseload source. General Fusion’s future commercial plants, producing hundreds of MWe, could complement or replace aging fission infrastructure in the region. - **Technology Readiness**: With commercial deployment targeted for the late 2020s or early 2030s, General Fusion’s timeline may not align with immediate NH energy needs but could fit longer-term decarbonization goals. - **Legislative Alignment**: New Hampshire’s HB 710 and provisions for small modular reactors (SMRs) signal openness to advanced nuclear technologies. Fusion, while distinct from SMRs, could benefit from similar regulatory streamlining if NH extends support to non-fission nuclear innovations. - **Potential Applications**: General Fusion’s output could serve NH’s grid power needs, support growing data center loads in the Northeast, or provide industrial heat for manufacturing sectors. - **NH Connections**: No specific ties to NH or the Northeast US are evident in current data. The company’s US operations are centered in Tennessee, though its technology could be deployed regionally with the right partnerships. General Fusion’s relevance to NH hinges on future policy developments supporting fusion and potential interest from ISO-NE or local utilities. ### Competitive Position General Fusion competes in the crowded fusion energy sector with companies pursuing varied approaches. Compared to peers: - **[[Commonwealth Fusion Systems]] ([[Commonwealth Fusion Systems|CFS]])**: Based in the US, CFS focuses on tokamak technology with high-temperature superconductors, backed by significant funding (over $2 billion) and partnerships with Google [X Post by CFS_energy](https://x.com/CFS_energy). CFS may have a faster path to commercialization due to its resources, while General Fusion’s MTF offers a potentially lower-cost alternative. - **[[TAE Technologies]]**: Another US-based firm, [[TAE Technologies|TAE]] uses a field-reversed configuration and recently merged with Trump Media in a $6 billion deal, providing substantial capital for development [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/trump-media-tae-technologies-combine-6-billion-deal-2025-12-18/). TAE’s partnerships (e.g., with Google) give it a competitive edge, while General Fusion’s simpler design could reduce deployment barriers. - **Unique Advantages and Risks**: General Fusion’s MTF approach avoids complex components like high-powered lasers, potentially lowering costs. However, it risks delays in proving net energy gain, a critical hurdle all fusion companies face. General Fusion holds a distinct niche with MTF but must accelerate technical milestones to keep pace with heavily funded competitors. ### Closing Note General Fusion is at a pivotal pre-commercial stage, with promising technology and recent funding positioning it for potential breakthroughs in fusion energy by the end of the decade. (Note: No official RSS feed for General Fusion’s press releases or news was identified on their website or through web searches. If one exists, it may not be publicly indexed or prominently displayed.) *Report generated December 24, 2025*