The project could become one of the first major commercial applications of fusion technology, according to investing.com, citing the Financial Times.
The project is planned to be carried out in partnership with the U.S.-based Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), in which Eni has already invested. The company views the development of fusion energy as a potential new business venture.
From the Oil and Gas Business to Fusion Energy
According to Francesca Ferrazza, head of Eni’s magnetic fusion division, nuclear fusion could become the company’s “next oil refinery.”
This involves more than just building the power plant itself. Eni also hopes to establish a presence in the fusion fuel cycle, which involves the extraction, purification, and reuse of tritium and deuterium—isotopes of hydrogen used in fusion reactions.
The company notes that the situation in the industry has changed significantly over the past five to six years: technological development has accelerated, and competition among developers of fusion power plants has intensified.
In early 2026, Eni established a joint venture with the UK’s Office for Nuclear Energy to provide specialized consulting and operational services in the field of fusion fuel cycles.
The partnership with Commonwealth Fusion Systems is part of Eni’s broader strategy to participate in the development of this technology. The American company is working to develop fusion power plants based on magnetic plasma confinement.
A Promising Area
For Eni, the development of fusion energy is of interest as a potentially new segment of the energy business. Unlike traditional nuclear power, fusion involves generating energy through the fusion of light atomic nuclei.
Commercial application of this technology has not yet become a reality, so Eni’s plans are focused on the long term. At the same time, the involvement of a major energy company indicates that nuclear fusion is increasingly being viewed not only as a scientific project but also as a potential industrial technology.
The planned timeline—the early 2040s or earlier—means there is still a considerable amount of time before the plant can begin commercial operation. Therefore, the key issues remain technological readiness, construction and operating costs, and the developers’ ability to ensure stable electricity production.
Follow our updates
