From Vision to Action: Nordic Fusion Forum Sparks Regional Momentum
The second edition of the Nordic Fusion Forum, hosted by Novatron Fusion Group in collaboration with St1, brought together a powerhouse of global fusion experts, Nordic industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and academics. Held in Helsinki, the event marked a pivotal moment in the region’s ambition to build a cross-sectoral ecosystem that can accelerate the path toward commercial fusion energy.
“Fusion is the space race of our time,” said the moderator in the opening remarks, setting the tone for a day defined by urgency, ambition, and collaboration. “We’re moving from science to industry, from research to commercialization — and the Nordics must act now to be part of this transformation.”
Awareness and Action: The Twin Engines of Progress
Throughout the day, a clear message emerged: awareness and action are essential. The Nordics already possess many of the foundational ingredients — world-class universities, advanced industries, and a public that understands the value of clean energy — but progress depends on coordinated efforts from all stakeholders. The call to action was directed not only at governments, but also at industry, academia, investors, and media — all of whom have a role to play in shaping the future of fusion.
Søren Bang Korsholm
“With awareness of our position and potential, and the awareness that fusion is now, we should act now.”
Concrete proposals included:
Mapping and activating existing supply chains to identify where Nordic companies can contribute.
Aligning regulatory frameworks with the unique needs of fusion, distinct from traditional nuclear energy.
Investing in tangible projects like NOVATRON 3 to anchor collaboration and inspire belief.
The Power of Tangibility: NOVATRON as a Catalyst
The Forum underscored the importance of tangible progress. “Seeing is believing,” said Karl Thedéen, CEO of Studsvik. “This industry doesn’t need more paperwork — it needs real, visible progress. Students, politicians, and investors need to see what’s being built.” He continued by applauding Novatron Fusion Group for having already built the first prototype of a reactor and for working on the second and third, highlighting how this helps anchor progress and inspires confidence across sectors.
One of the highlights of the Forum was the release of a new study by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland identifying the most suitable Nordic locations for NOVATRON 3 — a future pilot fusion reactor. The study concluded that the Nordics are well-positioned to lead in fusion development.
“With close collaboration between national authorities, industry, and local communities, we could see the first fusion projects becoming reality sooner than many expect.”
Matt Trevithick
A Strategic Choice: Lead or Follow
The Nordics now face a strategic crossroad. “Most countries will follow. But the Nordics have a chance to lead — if they choose to,” said Matt Trevithick, Co-founder & Managing Partner at Leitmotif.
Drawing inspiration from Canada’s “Own the Podium” Olympic strategy, he urged the region to focus on areas where it can truly excel. “Pick your sport,” Trevithick added. “Don’t try to win everything. But where you can lead — lean in hard.”
Tuomas Tala sharing his view on the impact fusion could have.
Fusion: More Than Just Energy
The societal impact of fusion was a recurring theme throughout the Forum, as its potential extends far beyond energy production. From medical isotopes for cancer treatment to advanced materials and AI-enabling infrastructure, fusion is seen as a catalyst for innovation across sectors.
“I would argue that the societal impact of having cheap electricity is much bigger than landing on the moon.”
Olga Bakardzhieva, Director of EU Affairs at Fusion Industry Association, added: “Fusion is the dream that we have been looking at, but it's no longer a dream. It's the perfect solution to reach us to net zero, it resonates really perfect with the current political and economic conditions when it comes to energy security and resilience. It's reliable, accessible. And maybe more importantly, it can really transform our economy and it can give us the competitiveness and economic growth Europe is now striving for.”
Olga Bakardzhieva
The Path Forward
The Forum concluded with a strong call for a coordinated Nordic approach — one that builds on regional strengths, fosters collaboration, and aligns stakeholders around a shared vision. “A Nordic strength is that we are small enough to have short wires across different players in the field,” said Atte Harjanne, Member of the Finnish Parliament representing the Green Party.
Atte Harjanne and Karl Thedéen
The journey to fusion energy is no longer a distant vision — it’s approaching rapidly. And the benefits along the way — technological breakthroughs, economic growth, and energy sovereignty — are within reach. What’s needed now is awareness, bold action, and the courage for the region to lead.
As Trevithick concluded, “The universe has already figured out that fusion is the answer. It’s only a matter of time before humanity does too. And my question for all of you is, why is now not the time? Very few people can tell me that now is not the time.”
With the next edition already confirmed for Copenhagen in 2026, the momentum is a fact.