UK-based Frazer-Nash Consultancy and inertial fusion company First Light Fusion have signed a non-exclusive letter of understanding to collaborate on the development of engineering technologies “which will accelerate innovation and forge a scalable, commercial pathway to fusion energy globally”.
Frazer-Nash will contribute its expertise in complex engineering and systems development to support First Light Fusion’s new business strategy, launched in February 2025, which focuses on partnering with innovative businesses that can leverage its proprietary technologies, research facilities and technological expertise. The collaboration will focus on delivering critical engineering solutions, developing new technical capabilities, and nurturing industry partnerships to strengthen the fusion supply chain and innovation network.
Nial Greeves, Director Energy and Infrastructure, Frazer-Nash Consultancy said: “Under this collaboration, Frazer-Nash is taking a further step forward towards developing new technologies that will benefit the global energy market. This will see Frazer-Nash applying its expertise in technical and strategic consulting and capability in advanced engineering solutions to support the pathway to realising a commercial inertial confinement fusion energy device.”
Mark Thomas, CEO of First Light Fusion, said the collaboration with Frazer-Nash “reflects our commitment to working with the best engineering minds in the industry in pursuit of this goal” and “will strengthen our development pipeline and provide valuable technical insight as we advance our fusion energy programme”.
In February First Light Fusion, founded in 2011 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, announced a policy change. The company, which is pursuing a new form of inertial confinement fusion, decided to discontinue the proposed development of its demonstrator, Machine 4, to focus on advancing and commercialising its patented amplifier technology. This replaced previous plans to build its own power plant based on a projectile fusion approach. First Light said this will significantly reduce funding requirements while accelerating the path to revenue generation.
The company said advancements in its amplifier technology, combined with progress in the wider inertial fusion energy (IFE) sector, “has provided an opportunity for the company to shift its business strategy, to capitalise on the huge IFE market opportunities enabling earlier revenues and lowering the long-term funding requirement”.
