California has established itself as a global leader in fusion research and development. The state is home to 16 core fusion companies, more than one-third of all U.S. fusion firms, and has been attracting more than $2.2 billion in public and private investment. As the industry moves toward commercialization, regional ecosystems are becoming critical to translating research breakthroughs into operational energy systems.
Within this landscape, San Diego is emerging as one of California’s most important regional hubs for fusion innovation. The region’s fusion industry already produces more than $442 million in annual economic output and supports over 1,600 jobs, reflecting a strong foundation as fusion technologies progress toward deployment.
A central driver of San Diego’s fusion ecosystem is General Atomics. The company operates the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, North America’s largest tokamak reactor, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy. The facility serves as a global collaboration platform producing scientific insights and technological advances for the fusion community.
General Atomics has also contributed to international fusion efforts by developing the world’s largest pulsed superconducting magnet at its Poway facility for installation at ITER, a 35-nation collaboration aimed at advancing power-plant-scale fusion energy.
San Diego’s academic institutions further strengthen the ecosystem. University of California San Diego provides a strong talent pipeline through its engineering programs and the Fusion
Engineering Institute, which supports interdisciplinary research and workforce development.
As fusion technologies move closer to commercialization, continued investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and regional partnerships will be critical for San Diego to maintain its leadership and capture the economic benefits of this emerging energy sector.
