Eni targets European commercial nuclear fusion plant by 2040

Italian energy group Eni aims to support the establishment of a commercial nuclear fusion plant in Europe by the early 2040s, or potentially sooner. Through its partnership with the American firm Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Eni views fusion technology as a potential “next refinery” and a strategic industrial outlet for its existing expertise.

The company intends to approach fusion not merely as a source of decarbonized electricity, but as a complete industrial process. Eni is specifically identifying commercial opportunities in the fusion fuel cycle, including the recovery of tritium and deuterium from reactors, isotope purification, and reuse.