Thu, 11 Sep 2025

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 US energy chief tells BBC nuclear fusion will soon power the world

AI will soon enable harnessing of the energy that powers the sun and stars, says Chris Wright

* US Energy Secretary Chris Wright expects AI to enable harnessing of nuclear fusion within 5 years, which will produce vast amounts of low-carbon energy.
* Wright claims that commercial fusion power plants could be operational on electric grids in 8-15 years and will rapidly become a big driver of greenhouse gas reductions.
* Scientists have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of fusion technology being developed so quickly.
* Wright also urged the UK government to lift its ban on fracking and issue new oil and gas licenses, claiming it could bring back manufacturing jobs and drive down energy prices.
* He defended cuts to renewable energy subsidies, saying wind and solar power had been subsidized for too long.
* Wright stood by a report that claimed climate change has been exaggerated, but admitted that climate change is a "very real, physical phenomenon".
* The report was criticized by over 85 international scientists who claimed it contained errors and misrepresentations.
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