SAN DIEGO (Aug. 28, 2025) — Scientists and engineers at General Atomics (GA) are celebrating a milestone in fusion energy.
The company has successfully completed all six Central Solenoid Modules, which together form the largest and most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet ever built.
Powering ITER’s Mission
Standing nearly 60 feet tall when fully assembled, the Central Solenoid will drive plasma currents for ITER, the world’s largest fusion experiment under construction in southern France.
ITER aims to prove the feasibility of sustained fusion, the same reaction that powers the sun and stars, as a future source of limitless, carbon-free energy.
U.S. Contribution to Global Science
“This project signified a watershed moment for the U.S. and for General Atomics,” said Dr. Wayne Solomon, vice president of Magnetic Fusion Energy at GA. “As the first private company to take on magnets of this scale, we’re proving the technologies needed to make fusion power a reality.”
Engineering Marvel
Each of the six modules weighs more than 270,000 pounds and required more than two years to fabricate and test. Shipped one by one to France, the modules will be stacked to form a magnet system 18 meters tall, 4.25 meters wide, and weighing more than 1,000 tons.
Built in California
The modules were manufactured over 15 years at GA’s Magnet Technologies Center in Poway, Calif. The project required new tools, a purpose-built facility, and a specialized global supply chain. In the process, GA developed technical expertise that will support future applications of superconducting magnets both inside and outside fusion.
Building Future Capabilities
The experience has positioned GA to advance other key technologies, from blanket component testing to high-temperature superconducting magnet systems. These capabilities are expected to contribute to both energy research and broader industries such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and transportation.
A Regional Hub for Fusion
“This achievement is more than just a technical triumph,” Solomon added. “It helps establish San Diego as a hub for fusion research and technology, while demonstrating the value of private industry partnering with the federal government to tackle the toughest energy challenges.”
Broader Economic Impact
Over the past two decades, Southern California’s fusion ecosystem has created high-tech jobs and spurred advanced manufacturing. The magnet project reinforces the region’s role as a leader in sustainable energy development.
Increased investment promises to strengthen domestic supply chains and train a next-generation technical workforce.
A Platform for Innovation
“Fusion energy is more than obtaining energy abundance—it can drive breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and transportation,” said Anantha Krishnan, senior vice president of the GA Energy Group. “This project proves what’s possible when private industry, universities, and the U.S. government collaborate.”
GA’s Longstanding Role
General Atomics has long been at the forefront of fusion research. From its San Diego base, GA operates the DIII-D National Fusion Facility for the Department of Energy, the nation’s only tokamak user facility.
The company also produces critical components for the National Ignition Facility, which recently achieved fusion ignition.
Strengthening U.S. Leadership
The completion of the Central Solenoid highlights America’s role in the global race for fusion power. By building unmatched capabilities in superconducting magnets, GA strengthens the nation’s position as a leader in the development of commercial fusion technologies.
“The country that gets to fusion first will shape the future,” said John Smith, senior director of Engineering and Projects at GA.
“Projects like the Central Solenoid prove that the workforce and expertise are already here in Southern California. At GA, we’re not just building magnets—we’re building the foundation for the future of energy.”
