“This project signified a watershed moment for the U.S. and for General Atomics,” said Dr. Wayne Solomon, vice president of Magnetic Fusion Energy for the General Atomics Energy Group. “As the first private company to take on the challenge of building fusion magnets at this scale, GA is proud to be leading the way in developing the technologies needed to make fusion power a reality.”
ITER brings together partners representing half the world’s population to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion, the same process that powers the sun and stars. Its aim is to achieve sustained fusion reactions for an extended period, seen as a crucial step towards practical and virtually limitless carbon-free energy.
The Central Solenoid is built from six modules, each weighing more than 270,000 pounds, fabricated and tested at General Atomics’ Magnet Technologies Center in Poway, California. Once shipped to France, they will be stacked into a system more than 18 metres tall, over four metres wide, and weighing in excess of 1,000 tons.
The 15-year project required innovative engineering and the development of novel tools within a purpose-built facility, supported by a global supply chain. General Atomics has gained technical capabilities through the programme that could support future technologies, including high-temperature superconducting magnets and components for non-fusion applications.
“This achievement is more than just a technical triumph,” Solomon added. “It’s proof that General Atomics can deliver on the most complex challenges in energy while helping establish San Diego as a leading regional hub for fusion research and technology.”
Southern California’s fusion ecosystem has grown significantly, creating high-tech jobs and advancing sustainable energy leadership. The region is now seen as a hub where future investments could strengthen supply chains and build a new generation of skilled workers.
“Fusion energy is more than obtaining energy abundance — it can drive breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence, manufacturing and transportation, and enable workforce development and the creation of new jobs in multiple sectors,” said Anantha Krishnan, senior vice president of the General Atomics Energy Group. “We’re proud to lead fusion efforts here in the city of San Diego, while collaborating with entities, such as the Department of Energy, the University of California system, and national laboratories. This magnet project is just one example of what’s possible when private industry and the U.S. government work together— a model that will be critical to ensure future success in commercializing fusion energy.”
General Atomics has been a longstanding leader in fusion technology, operating the DIII-D National Fusion Facility for the U.S. Department of Energy and producing target assemblies for the National Ignition Facility. The Central Solenoid further enhances its role in advancing fusion technology globally.
“The country that gets to fusion first will hold the power to shape the future,” said John Smith, senior director of Engineering and Projects at General Atomics. “Projects like the Central Solenoid prove that the expertise, capabilities, and workforce are already here in Southern California. At General Atomics, we aren’t just building magnets. We’re building the foundation for the future of energy. And we’re always ready for what’s next.”
