The former head of the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is joining the board of directors for General Fusion.
General Fusion, based in B.C., is among the 33 private companies in the race to develop the first workable fusion energy generator. The company has raised US$155 million over the past two years from investors, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
General Fusion plans to build a demonstration plant in the U.K., where the Joint European Torus (JET) experimental fusion reactor is located.
Meanwhile, the former head of the UKAEA, Norman Harrison, has joined General Fusion’s board of directors. Harrison was CEO of the UKAEA when important research was being done at the JET between 2006 and 2010.
“Norman’s wealth of expertise in advancing fusion technology and operating large electricity infrastructure provides us with meaningful insight into what is required to effectively bring Magnetized Target Fusion to the energy grid in a cost-effective, practical way,” General Fusion CEO Greg Twinney said in a news release. “We look forward to working with him as General Fusion transforms the commercial power industry with reliable fusion power.”
“I’ve been a part of the fusion energy industry for many years now,” Harrison said. “General Fusion’s unique technology stands out and has exciting promise to put fusion energy onto the electricity grid. I am thrilled to join the General Fusion team and be a part of the company’s progress.”
Last month, General Fusion announced it would build a new Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) machine at its new headquarters on Sea Island in Richmond. The company also announced it had closed a Series F raise of US$25 million. That followed a Series E fundraising round in 2021 that raised US$130 million.
