US Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s bold claim that nuclear fusion could power the world within 15 years is stirring debate over the future of clean energy.
 |
| US Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s forecast of nuclear fusion within 15 years raises important questions about the future of clean energy and its global impact. Symbolic Image: CH |
Tech Desk — September 12, 2025
In an interview with the BBC, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright made a remarkable claim: artificial intelligence (AI) will enable nuclear fusion to provide power to the world’s electricity grids within 15 years. His assertion that fusion energy could soon become a major tool for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions is fueling both excitement and skepticism in the energy and climate change sectors. But how realistic are these predictions?
Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, has long been considered a potential solution to the world’s energy problems. If perfected, fusion could provide nearly limitless energy with minimal environmental impact, as it produces no carbon emissions and significantly less radioactive waste compared to conventional nuclear fission. Yet, despite its promise, harnessing fusion on Earth remains a challenge. The process requires temperatures millions of degrees hotter than the sun, and scientists have struggled to replicate these conditions in a controlled environment.
Wright’s optimistic timeline, suggesting that fusion energy could be integrated into electricity grids in 8 to 15 years, is certainly ambitious. Traditionally, experts have warned that commercial fusion plants are still decades away from reality. But Wright’s emphasis on AI-driven advancements in fusion technology, coupled with significant investments from both national labs and private companies, points to accelerating progress. AI, he argues, will play a crucial role in overcoming the current barriers to fusion by optimizing the complex scientific and engineering processes involved.
While the role of AI in energy research is undeniable, the idea that AI will soon enable nuclear fusion within five years raises eyebrows. AI can certainly aid in the optimization of experimental fusion reactors, help model the behavior of plasma, and analyze vast amounts of data, but the underlying physics and engineering challenges of fusion are still monumental. No fusion reactor has yet achieved a net positive energy output—meaning the amount of energy produced exceeds the amount required to initiate and sustain the fusion process. Until this fundamental breakthrough occurs, Wright’s optimistic timeline may seem overly optimistic to many experts.
Moreover, fusion energy is not just a technological challenge; it’s also a financial and logistical one. Building the infrastructure for fusion reactors, which are likely to be large, complex, and costly, could take decades. Even with AI accelerating progress, significant questions remain about funding, regulation, and the integration of fusion energy into existing power grids.
Wright’s predictions, however, should not be viewed in isolation. His comments come at a time when global energy markets are in flux, with many countries looking to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. The push for renewable energy sources like wind and solar has been met with mixed results, and the transition to clean energy has sparked debates over energy security and economic stability.
In this context, fusion presents a tantalizing prospect: an energy source that could be virtually limitless and carbon-neutral. However, fusion is not the only solution to the world’s energy challenges. The ongoing advancements in solar, wind, and storage technologies—along with innovations in hydrogen fuel and nuclear fission—must also be considered as part of a broader energy strategy.
Additionally, Wright’s comments on fracking reveal a clear tension between short-term energy solutions and long-term sustainability. He advocated for the lifting of the UK’s de facto ban on fracking, suggesting it could revitalize the economy and lower energy costs. While fracking has been an important energy source, particularly in the U.S., its environmental risks, including groundwater contamination and methane emissions, make it a controversial alternative to cleaner energy solutions.
Wright’s vision of a future powered by nuclear fusion is an inspiring one, but it remains highly speculative. The energy secretary acknowledges that while fusion is a "very real, physical phenomenon," achieving commercial fusion will take generations, not decades. For now, fusion remains more of a long-term hope than an immediate solution.
Still, the fact that AI and technological advancements are accelerating fusion research is a positive development. Even if the 15-year timeline proves overly ambitious, the pursuit of fusion could drive other innovations in energy science that may yield breakthroughs in the near future.
As Wright himself put it, “We’ve got a dialogue back and forth about climate change in a public forum. I’ve wanted that for 20 years.” Whether nuclear fusion becomes a mainstream energy source in the next 15 years or not, it is clear that the debate surrounding clean energy is intensifying, with AI and new technologies leading the charge. But for now, the world will have to wait to see if fusion is truly the energy revolution it’s been promised to be.