SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Fusion Fuel Cycles joint venture begins construction of UNITY-2 test facility

Fusion Fuel Cycles has begun work on its UNITY-2 facility, a unique test bench designed to validate the full tritium fuel cycle under fusion conditions, marking a key step toward fusion energy.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Fusion Fuel Cycles, a joint venture formed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Kyoto Fusioneering, has launched construction of its experimental UNITY-2 site within the Chalk River complex in Ontario. The facility will be the first to enable full validation of the deuterium-tritium (D-T) fuel cycle under conditions representative of a fusion reactor, with closed-loop tritium circulation.

The project aims to address one of the key technical bottlenecks in transitioning from fusion research to the development of pilot plants. The UNITY-2 system is designed to demonstrate, at industrial scale, critical D-T cycle technologies, ranging from injection to purification, including storage and isotopic separation. The site will handle up to 30 grams of tritium in a 24-hour operational cycle, with expandable capacity up to 100 grams.

A strategic infrastructure for fusion industrialisation

The consortium has started dismantling existing equipment to prepare the infrastructure required for installing UNITY-2’s technical systems. The project aims to deliver an integrated testing platform for operational validation of the fuel cycle, essential for advancing from experimental to electricity-generating fusion facilities.

Kyoto Fusioneering stated that the project anticipates the needs of future pilot reactors, expected to be built between the late 2020s and early 2030s in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. According to the company, UNITY-2 will play a key role in bypassing systemic risks that currently slow the sector.

Private funding and commissioning scheduled for 2026

In August, Fusion Fuel Cycles finalised a ten-year, $20 million (CAD27.46mn) financing agreement with California-based General Atomics, a group engaged in the fusion sector. This funding will contribute to completing construction and launching the first testing phases under real-world conditions.

The facility is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026. A recruitment plan will follow to assemble the teams needed for the testing phases and ongoing operations scheduled for early 2027.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Greencells to migrate 3 GW of solar projects to 3E’s platform
Greenbuddies deploys Germany’s largest agrivoltaic power plant for MaxSolar
AfDB grants $7.41mn to Liberia to complete hydroelectric power plant
South Korea under pressure from the IEA to liberalise its electricity market
Kamoa-Kakula mine in DRC targets 347 MW in electricity demand by 2028
Equinix secures 500 MWe nuclear supply from Stellaria for AI data centres
Equinix has signed a strategic agreement with French start-up Stellaria to reserve 500 MWe of advanced nuclear capacity to power its future European AI data centres starting in 2035.
Kyrgyzstan bets on a Russian small modular reactor to solve its energy crisis
Bishkek plans to host a RITM-200N small modular reactor supplied by Rosatom to address electricity shortages and deepen energy ties with Moscow, despite the risks posed by Western sanctions.
TEPCO could restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant as early as January
The Niigata prefectural assembly will vote on the restart of Unit 6, potentially marking TEPCO’s first reactor relaunch since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Norway launches cross-border consultation on nuclear power plant project
The Norwegian government has initiated a consultation with neighbouring countries on its modular nuclear power plant project in Aure and Heim, in accordance with the Espoo Convention.
TÜNAŞ and KEPCO sign deal to accelerate nuclear development in Türkiye
Türkiye and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore nuclear power plant projects, marking a strategic step in the long-term development of Türkiye's energy infrastructure.
Asian Development Bank opens nuclear energy financing to developing countries
Asian Development Bank has amended its energy policy to enable funding for civil nuclear projects in developing member countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
First Hydrogen launches project on molten-salt fuels for small modular reactors
First Hydrogen begins research with the University of Alberta to identify molten-salt mixtures simulating nuclear fuels for SMR prototypes.
Framatome delivers first nuclear fuel assemblies for Barakah
Framatome has completed the manufacturing of the first nuclear fuel assemblies for the Barakah power plant, marking a key milestone in the supply agreement signed with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company in July.
UK launches radical overhaul of nuclear regulation system
A government-commissioned report proposes 47 measures to simplify nuclear regulation, reduce decommissioning costs and accelerate delivery of civilian and military projects.
Zhangzhou’s second reactor delivers first kilowatt-hours to the grid
The Hualong One reactor at Zhangzhou nuclear power plant has been connected to the grid, marking a major milestone in the expansion of China’s civilian nuclear programme.
Rosatom receives approval to 3D-print SMR components
Russian state nuclear group Rosatom has validated the additive manufacturing of parts for its small modular reactors, marking an industrial first for RITM-200 SMR plant equipment.
Maritime Fusion raises $4.5mn to bring fusion energy to commercial ships
California-based Maritime Fusion, backed by Y Combinator and Trucks VC, is betting on a decentralised approach to fusion to target maritime and off-grid applications.
Bayridge Resources acquires 51% of Baker Lake uranium project in Nunavut
Bayridge Resources secures a majority stake in an advanced uranium project in Canada, strengthening its strategic presence in a geologically promising region.
Over 15,000 tonnes of recycled concrete from Sizewell A reinjected into Sizewell C
A significant volume of concrete from the dismantling of the Sizewell A nuclear power plant is being transferred to support the foundations of the Sizewell C project, under a partnership between UK nuclear sector stakeholders.
KEPCO and ENEC strengthen alliance on nuclear and artificial intelligence
Korean group KEPCO and UAE-based ENEC have signed two memorandums of understanding to expand their cooperation in civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies targeting new international markets.
US Army selects nine bases for future deployment of nuclear microreactors
The Janus programme will deploy micro nuclear power plants across nine military bases to reinforce energy autonomy for critical U.S. Army installations.
Lightbridge launches irradiation testing of its fuel alloy in the United States
The Idaho National Laboratory has started irradiation testing on uranium-zirconium fuel samples from Lightbridge in its experimental reactor, marking a key step toward the industrial validation of advanced nuclear fuel.
NexGen begins final federal hearings for the Rook I nuclear project
NexGen Energy has opened Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearings for the final approval of its Rook I uranium project, following more than six years of regulatory process.
Oklo signs contract with Siemens Energy for Aurora’s power conversion system
Oklo has signed a binding agreement with Siemens Energy to accelerate manufacturing of the energy conversion system for its first advanced nuclear power plant in the United States.
New setback for TEPCO at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 48h before crucial political green light
A security document handling incident at the nuclear power plant renews concerns about TEPCO as a key decision on restarting reactors 6 and 7 approaches in Niigata.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.