Fusion energy's high costs reflect systemic energy market and innovation barriers
Original framing: “Will fusion power get cheap? Don’t count on it.” — MIT Technology Review
Historically, major energy transitions—such as from coal to oil—were driven by a combination of public investment, geopolitical shifts, and market forces. Fusion energy's cost trajectory will depend on similar systemic factors, including sustained government funding and regulatory support, which have been lacking.
Fusion energy's high costs are not a technical inevitability but a systemic outcome of underfunded public R&D, market-driven innovation models, and fossil fuel subsidies.
Historical energy transitions show that policy and investment frameworks are as critical as technological progress. By integrating Indigenous and non-Western perspectives, reforming energy markets, and prioritizing community governance, we can create a more equitable and sustainable energy future. This requires a shift from short-term profit motives to long-term systemic thinking, supported by inclusive policy and global collaboration.