SINGAPORE, 1 October 2026 — As fusion energy advances towards commercialisation, Singapore is monitoring developments closely while building the capabilities needed to move quickly when the technology proves viable. Beyond fusion energy itself, opportunities are emerging across the technologies, talent and industrial capabilities that will support the sector.
This was the focus of FusionX:APAC 2026, held in Singapore from 30 September to 2 October 2026. The three-day event brings together global fusion companies, researchers, investors, policymakers and industry leaders across the fusion value chain to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping the next phase of the industry.
Building Singapore’s role in the emerging fusion economy
In his opening address, Guest-of-Honour Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), highlighted three areas where Singapore could contribute to global fusion developments: through its strong talent pipeline in fusion-adjacent areas, its demonstrated research and engineering capabilities, and its vibrant deep tech ecosystem.
Singapore has built up technical expertise and capabilities relevant to fusion, particularly in areas such as precision engineering, advanced manufacturing, diagnostics and other deep tech disciplines. We have also developed a strong pipeline of researchers and technical talent with expertise that can be applied to emerging technologies.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is already applying these capabilities to real-world fusion challenges through collaborations with leading global fusion companies. Through its Future Energy Acceleration and Translation (FEAT) Centre, A*STAR has worked with US-based Realta Fusion since 2025 to develop and deploy advanced diagnostics for its Wisconsin HTS Axisymmetric Mirror (WHAM) device. The collaboration helps improve understanding of plasma behaviour, a critical challenge in fusion development, allowing Singapore researchers to validate their technologies in an operational fusion environment. A*STAR and Realta Fusion are now discussing a next phase of collaboration focused on advanced plasma diagnostics and their deployment.
A*STAR is also partnering with VDL Enabling Technologies Group (VDL ETG), a global advanced manufacturing company, to bring together A*STAR's research strengths in advanced materials, manufacturing, and diagnostics with VDL ETG's precision engineering and industrialisation expertise. The partnership will explore the development of materials, components and diagnostic technologies for the demanding conditions required in fusion systems. Drawing on these complementary capabilities, the partnership aims to advance these technologies towards real-world deployment.
“Fusion is an emerging field, but the technologies needed to support its development draw on capabilities that Singapore has today. Working with global fusion and industry partners allows us to build on these strengths and deepen our understanding of the sector’s needs so that Singapore will be well positioned to play a key role in the industry as it develops,” said Professor Lim Keng Hui, Assistant Chief Executive, Science and Engineering Research Council, A*STAR.
For Singapore, the opportunity at present lies in connecting this base of technical expertise and experienced talent with fusion developers and industry players globally. Local companies and research institutions can potentially contribute capabilities across the value chain, while gaining exposure to the technologies and supply chains emerging around fusion.
Bringing the global fusion ecosystem together
FusionX:APAC 2026 brought together leaders from across the international fusion ecosystem, including Focused Energy, General Fusion, Marvel Fusion, Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Type One Energy, alongside expert researchers, investors, local industry players and policymakers.
The programme began with Fusion School - a new initiative this year that introduced students and young professionals to fusion fundamentals, different technological approaches as well as supply chain and investment opportunities and challenges across the sector. Participants engaged in an open discussion with a panel of fusion innovators and investors on the opportunities in fusion-derived technologies, APAC’s participation in fusion and its supply chains, as well as key risk factors, mitigation strategies & due diligence processes.
The main conference explored the challenges facing fusion as it moves towards commercialisation - from financing capital-intensive development and building supply chains, to translating scientific breakthroughs into deployable systems and developing the multidisciplinary talent needed to support the industry. The programme also examined opportunities beyond the reactor itself, including the wider ecosystem of enabling technologies and fusion-derived capabilities.
"Fusion will not be built by one company in one country. The supply chains that make a fusion power plant possible - from laser components to target manufacturing to reactor infrastructure - need to be developed in parallel, across borders, and with industrial partners who are ready to commit now. What we are building in Biblis is a blueprint, not just for Germany, but for how the global fusion industry can be structured. Singapore and the APAC region have real capabilities in precision engineering and advanced manufacturing that are directly relevant to what we need. Connecting those capabilities to the fusion value chain is exactly the kind of work that moves this industry forward. We are excited for the exchange on site," said Thomas Forner, CEO, Focused Energy.
The main conference was preceded by a closed-door roundtable, bringing together senior representatives from the local and global fusion ecosystem. Participants discussed how countries and companies can play complementary roles in an industry that will require significant collaboration across borders and disciplines, including opportunities for local capabilities to connect with global fusion developers and supply chains.
On 2 October, participants will engage in a technical roundtable and visit A*STAR SIMTech and ARTC, gaining insight into Singapore’s existing capabilities and exploring potential opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
Mapping where Singapore can contribute to the fusion value chain
To better understand where Singapore can contribute meaningfully, SGInnovate is working with global consulting firm Helixos on a fusion innovation landscape study. Preliminary findings suggest that as the global fusion industry explores different technology pathways - from tokamaks and stellarators to inertial and other emerging concepts - Singapore can focus on capabilities that are relevant across all fusion systems, including materials and coatings, plasma-facing components, diagnostics, and software and control. These build on Singapore’s existing strengths in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, robotics, precision engineering and instrumentation.
Importantly, the study finds that Singapore may have more “fusion-ready” talent than is immediately apparent. As the sector matures, workforce demand will extend beyond plasma physicists to include software engineers, robotics specialists, semiconductor engineers, precision manufacturers, materials scientists and systems integrators. Preliminary findings indicate that many of these capabilities already exist within Singapore’s talent base, such as in materials science, precision manufacturing, instrumentation, and computational engineering. Remaining gaps can be bridged through targeted intervention, industry partnerships and retraining initiatives.
These early findings point to the potential for Singapore to build on its existing industrial and talent base to participate in the global fusion value chain, without having to start from scratch.
Looking ahead to the fusion economy
“Fusion is a deep tech endeavour that will take time, but that does not mean Singapore needs to wait before preparing for the opportunities it could create. We have capabilities and talent that are relevant today, and the opportunity now is to connect them with global fusion developers and industry players through platforms like FusionX:APAC. Singapore does not need to produce fusion energy itself to participate in the fusion economy. We can contribute through the technologies, capabilities and supply chains that will make fusion possible - so that when the technology is ready to scale, Singapore will be ready to move with it,” said Dr Lim Jui, CEO, SGInnovate.
“Asia is already playing an important role in the development of fusion, building on decades of engagement in multinational programmes such as ITER and accelerating through the growing presence of fusion developers, enabling-technology providers and supply-chain companies across the region. As the global fusion ecosystem matures, Asia will be home to an increasing share of the companies, capabilities and partnerships needed to bring the technology to scale. Singapore has a natural role to play in that phase: as a trusted centre for knowledge, capital and talent; a connector between regional strengths and global opportunities; and as a platform for the partnerships needed to build a stronger and more connected Asian fusion ecosystem,” said Stuart Allen, CEO & Co-Founder of FusionX Group.
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About SGInnovate
SGInnovate is a Deep Tech ecosystem builder and investor, backed by the Singapore Government. Our expertise and approach combine investments, talent development and community-building to catalyse the translation of emerging technologies into tomorrow’s opportunities. Through our flagship Deep Tech Central platform, we connect individuals, founders and companies to specialised resources and opportunities across all technological domains and stages of growth. Our portfolio of emerging tech startups comprises some of the most promising companies leading the commercialisation of research developed from Singapore’s RIE ecosystem.
Connect with us at www.sginnovate.com.