8 October 2025

Fusion Energy Forward brought global fusion leaders to Sweden

Pietro Barabaschi, Director-General of the ITER Organisation, and Benoît Fourestié, Acting Head of Unit ITER at the European Commission, visited the Stockholm symposium Fusion Energy Forward on 3 October, a landmark event showing that Sweden is taking centre stage in the global fusion conversation.

Benoît Fourestié (Unit ITER at the European Commission), Pietro Barabaschi (ITER Organisation), Carolina Losin (Westinghouse Electric Company), Linda Werner (St1 Nordic Oy), and Mårten Löfberg (Novatron Fusion Group).

Fusion Energy

Fusion Energy Forward, a high-profile morning symposium co-hosted by Big Science Sweden and Novatron Fusion Group, brought together leading voices from research, industry, and policy. The discussions focused on how Sweden can accelerate the transition from fusion research to industrial implementation and commercial opportunities.

Keynotes that inspired

Pietro Barabaschi shared his vision for Powering Fusion at Scale, outlining ITER’s path towards demonstrating large-scale fusion energy. Benoît Fourestié, Acting Head of Unit ITER at the European Commission, added the policy perspective, highlighting the upcoming European strategy on fusion, which will be launched in the coming months.

Sweden’s strong position

“Sweden has the opportunity to play a stronger role in the rapidly evolving fusion and fission landscape. As the ITER Organisation accelerates its execution and new industrial needs arise, there are growing opportunities for Swedish companies and research institutes to contribute,” says Max Collins, Big Science Sweden and Sweden’s Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO) for ITER.

With opening and closing remarks from Peter Roos (Novatron Fusion Group) and Catarina Sahlberg (Big Science Sweden), the day highlighted Sweden’s strong position in the transition from groundbreaking fusion research to industrial applications. It also emphasised Sweden’s growing role in driving sustainable clean energy production.

Panels shaping the future

Two dynamic panel discussions explored how industry and research can accelerate fusion development.

Building the Global Supply Chain: moderated by Mårten Löfberg (Novatron Fusion Group) brought together Carolina Losin (Westinghouse Electric Company), Linda Werner (St1 Nordic Oy), Pietro Barabaschi (ITER), and Benoît Fourestié (European Commission) to discuss strategies for building resilient, innovative supply chains for fusion.

Building Sweden’s Fusion Workforce: moderated by Philip von Segebaden (Novatron Fusion Group)  featured Sverker Werin (Lund University), Mats Engwall (KTH Royal Institute of Technology), Sara Hedin (Business Sweden), and Karl Thedéen (Studsvik), focusing on how Sweden can develop the skills and talent needed for a rapidly expanding fusion industry.

Many were interested in hearing about Sweden’s role in fusion.

Daniel Gidlund (Freemelt), Max Collins (Big Science Sweden), Erik Odèn Dahlbäck (Novatron), Gustaf Mårtensson (Novatron), Pietro Barabaschi (ITER), Philip von Segebaden (Novatron), Catarina Sahlberg (Big Science Sweden).

Catarina Sahlberg (Big Science Sweden) and Pietro Barabaschi (ITER).