Future energy supply options may include fossil fuels, nuclear fission and renewables. However, fusion could provide a significant new long-term source of low-carbon electricity from the second half of this century onwards.
Fusion offers a secure and abundant source of supply for many thousands of years, with important additional advantages. These include: no production of greenhouse gases from the fusion process; less long-lived radioactive waste than nuclear fission and inherent safety features.
Once commercialised, fusion will have a key role to play in the energy market of the future.
By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. More people (an increase from seven billion to nine billion) and better living standards will lead to a big rise in energy consumption.
World Energy Outlook 2018 – International Energy Agency
No single technology will fulfil this demand. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and a range of power sources will be needed to meet the challenges of energy security, sustainable development and environmental protection.