Shanghai Electric's Decades of Leading Innovations in Nuclear Fusion Energy for a Sustainable Future

Shanghai Electric's Groundbreaking Achievements in Nuclear Fusion Energy

For over two decades, Shanghai Electric has emerged as a key player in the field of nuclear fusion energy, facilitating significant advancements that promise a sustainable future for our planet. Recently, the company announced several crucial milestones in controlled nuclear fusion, reflecting its commitment and expertise in this crucial sector.

On November 1, 2025, Shanghai Electric (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727) marked a notable achievement with the delivery of the world’s largest toroidal field (TF) coil case to the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT) in Hefei, China. This monumental coil, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), stands at an impressive 21 meters in height and 12 meters in width, weighing approximately 400 tons. This makes it not only larger by 1.2 times but also about twice as heavy as its ITER counterpart.

In addition to this landmark delivery, Shanghai Electric has also shipped state-of-the-art equipment for low-temperature magnetic testing to France for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, further demonstrating its pivotal role in the global nuclear fusion landscape.

According to Wu Lei, President of Shanghai Electric Group, the firm's pioneering work in manufacturing high-end equipment showcases its relentless pursuit of technological innovation and international collaboration. “We will continually leverage our strengths in extreme manufacturing and engineering integration to support major global scientific projects like ITER, contributing to humanity's ultimate goal of achieving clean energy,” he said.

These achievements not only represent a breakthrough for China in producing essential components for nuclear fusion but also reinforce the country's position in the global supply chain for fusion research. The recent equipment destined for ITER was transported from the French port of Marseille, traveling over 70 kilometers inland to reach the project's facility in Cadarache, where collaboration among seven major members, including the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the United States, and China is progressing towards commercializing nuclear fusion technology.

The joint team from Shanghai Electric Nuclear Power Group tackled stringent height, weight, and breadth limitations at the ITER facility, successfully completing the production process in just 11 months. Their remarkable precision in forming large contour surfaces, alongside successful assembly and welding of vast casings and thick flanges, sets a new benchmark for international standards in deformation control and vacuum sealing.

As the largest and most influential international scientific endeavor, ITER combines efforts from over 30 countries to achieve large-scale nuclear fusion reactions and move towards stable, controlled energy release. At the recent ministerial meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group and the 30th Fusion Energy Conference held on October 14 in Chengdu, Shanghai Electric demonstrated its 20-year achievements in nuclear fusion apparatus development, including prominent systems such as EAST, CRAFT, and BEST, generating immense interest worldwide and underscoring the significant role of nuclear fusion in combating climate change and meeting future energy demands.

Over the years, Shanghai Electric has tackled key technical challenges in nuclear fusion research, focusing on hydrogen and boron fusion utilizing megaamperes and high-frequency deep penetration laser welding. These advancements have enhanced the performance of nuclear fusion devices under extreme conditions, providing reproducible solutions, enriching the research experience, and contributing technological prowess to global nuclear fusion studies.

In conclusion, Shanghai Electric remains at the forefront of nuclear fusion innovation, firmly establishing itself as a leader in the transition towards sustainable energy solutions. As fusion technology progresses, it holds the promise of addressing the world's growing energy needs while significantly reducing carbon emissions. For more information about Shanghai Electric’s efforts and achievements in nuclear energy, please visit their official website at Shanghai Electric.