French technology company Thales has launched GenF, a new venture focused on developing nuclear fusion energy through laser-driven inertial confinement. Established on May 15, 2025, in Bordeaux, GenF aims to create an “artificial sun” that produces clean, abundant energy.
GenF’s approach relies on high-powered lasers to compress and heat atomic nuclei until fusion occurs, releasing substantial energy in a way similar to the sun’s core process. Thales leverages over 40 years of experience with high-power lasers, including contributions to the French Atomic Energy Commission’s Laser Megajoule program.
The global pursuit of fusion energy is accelerating, as investments rose from €4.24 billion in 2021 to €5.48 billion in 2022, according to the Fusion Industry Association. Major nations, including China, are heavily investing in fusion research centers, highlighting the strategic priority of this technology.
GenF’s development will follow three stages:
- Modeling, simulation, and experimentation, concluding by 2027
- Technology maturation from 2027 to 2035, focusing on laser synchronization and material development for reactor environments
- Construction of a prototype reactor planned for the mid-2030s
The company has partnered with French research institutions such as the CEA, École Polytechnique, CNRS, and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region. The French government awarded GenF €18.5 million in early 2024 to support its initial phase, reflecting national commitment to fusion innovation amid broader advances like quantum computing.
Starting with a team of about ten specialists, GenF plans to expand to around forty experts to address the complex scientific and engineering challenges involved in building laser-based fusion reactors.
Fusion requires creating temperatures hotter than the sun’s core to force hydrogen isotopes to fuse, releasing vast energy. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion produces minimal radioactive waste and depends on plentiful fuel sources. Successful fusion could revolutionize energy production by offering a sustainable, clean, and nearly limitless power supply.
Thales’ laser expertise positions it to advance fusion technology significantly, contributing to a cleaner energy future as global energy demand grows and climate concerns deepen.