#China #Shanghai #Nuclear Fusion #Shanghai Electric #ITER

Two Decades of Innovation in Nuclear Fusion Energy

Shanghai Electric, a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced equipment, has made significant strides in controlled nuclear fusion technology over the past twenty years. Recently, the company announced several key milestones in its ongoing projects, particularly its support for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT).

Key Deliveries in Nuclear Fusion Technology

In November 2025, Shanghai Electric delivered the world’s largest toroidal field coil case, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), to the CRAFT facility in Hefei, China. This monumental structure, made entirely from austenitic stainless steel, stands 21 meters tall and 12 meters wide, weighing an impressive 400 tons, surpassing the equivalent component for ITER. Additionally, the company successfully shipped the cold test cryostat for the ITER project to France, overcoming various logistical challenges along the way.

Advancing Global Collaboration

Shanghai Electric's achievements underscore the capabilities of Chinese enterprises to foster international cooperation in nuclear fusion technology. The collaboration extends to significant partnerships with over 30 countries participating in the ITER project, including the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. Wu Lei, president of Shanghai Electric Group, expressed the company's commitment to driving fusion energy progress through technological innovation and international collaboration.

The recent deliveries showcase substantial advancements that not only enhance China's role in manufacturing nuclear fusion components but also solidify its position in the global supply chain for fusion research. Noteworthy is the cold-test cryostat, which was carefully transported over 70 kilometers to the ITER site in Cadarache, France, following its arrival at the Marseille port. The Shanghai Electric Nuclear Power Group's collaborative team succeeded in meeting stringent dimensional constraints at the ITER site, completing manufacturing in just 11 months.

Overcoming Technical Challenges

Over the years, Shanghai Electric has tackled significant technical challenges in fusion research, including materials science, mega-ampere hydrogen-boron fusion, and high-frequency laser welding. These innovations have optimized the performance of fusion devices under extreme conditions, providing reproducible solutions and accumulating valuable technological expertise that can benefit global fusion research.

The company’s contributions to the field have also been recognized at international events such as the recent ministerial meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Fusion Energy Group and the 30th Fusion Energy Conference held in Chengdu. Here, Shanghai Electric showcased two decades of accomplishments in fusion equipment development and advanced system solutions, drawing global interest and emphasizing the critical role of fusion energy in combating climate change and meeting future energy demands.

Conclusion: The Path Ahead

As one of the foremost international scientific megaprojects, ITER aims for large-scale fusion reactions, paving the way for stable and controllable energy release. Shanghai Electric remains steadfast in its commitment to contribute to this groundbreaking work, fully aware that the path to a sustainable energy future requires relentless innovation and global collaboration. The progress made thus far marks only the beginning of a much larger journey towards realizing the full potential of nuclear fusion energy on a global scale. For more information, please visit the Shanghai Electric website here.