The White House will convene a summit of government leaders, policymakers, scientists, investors, stakeholders, and private industry on 17 March plan for US leadership in commercial fusion energy.

In a statement the White House said fusion – the same reaction that powers the sun – has the potential to be a game-changing technology to help the US achieve net-zero by 2050, protect national security, and enhance the country’s technology leadership.

“Decades of public investment, rapid growth in private investment, and major recent scientific advances suggest that now is the time to quickly move toward demonstrating commercial fusion energy,” the statement said.