Funding Status of 2.6 Megajoule LLNL Laser Fusion Modification

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is pursuing funding to increase the laser fusion power at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) from 2.2 megajoules (MJ) to 2.6 MJ as part of the Enhanced Yield Capability (EYC) project.

The eighth ignition experiment on April 7, 2025, set new records for both energy yield and target gain. NIF achieved a yield of 8.6 MJ with a measurement uncertainty of +/- 0.45 MJ. NIF’s lasers delivered 2.08 MJ of energy to the target in a 456-terawatt peak power pulse, producing a target gain of 4.13.

There are commercial startups working on laser fusion. Some companies like HB11 Energy, Xcimer Energy and Focused Energy.

HB11 Energy has raised $23.3M and recently has new grants and partnerships.

Xcimer Energy (USA, Funding: $117.8M)
Xcimer aims to build scalable, cost-effective fusion power plants with 10 MJ-class lasers.

Focused Energy (USA/Germany, Funding: $79M)
Commercializes inertial fusion energy by using high-power laser beams to spark fusion reactions, building on the National Ignition Facility’s (NIF) breakthroughs. It aims for rapid-fire fusion blasts to generate power.

Funding for the Increase to 2.6 Megajoules

Project Details: The EYC project aims to boost the NIF’s laser energy from its current high of 2.2 MJ to 2.6 MJ. This will be achieved by installing additional laser glass in unused empty locations within NIF’s power amplifiers. The upgrade is expected to enable fusion yields greater than 30 MJ, significantly enhancing the facility’s capabilities.

Funding Status: In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved Critical Decision 0 (CD-0) for the EYC project. This approval is the first formal step in the DOE’s project management process, recognizing the mission need and allowing the initiation of conceptual design.

While CD-0 does not guarantee full funding, it indicates that the project has official support and that funding is likely to be allocated as it progresses through subsequent stages:
CD-1: Approval of alternative selection and cost range.

CD-2: Approval of performance baseline.

CD-3: Approval to start construction.

CD-4: Approval to start operations.

Current Progress: With CD-0 approved, the project is in the early planning phase. Full funding will depend on successful advancement through these later stages, but the approval suggests a commitment to securing the necessary resources.

Potential Increase to 3.0 Megajoules
Improving the facility toproduce laser pulses of 2.6–3.0 MJ to initiate higher-gain fusion reactions. LLNL researchers indicate a clear path to achieving 20–40 times the current fusion gain with facility upgrades, including increasing laser power and improving other components. This aligns with the possibility of reaching 3.0 MJ, but it remains speculative without concrete funding commitments.

Context of the Enhanced Yield Capacity Plan
The EYC project supports LLNL’s mission under the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Stockpile Stewardship Program, ensuring the reliability of the U.S. nuclear arsenal without testing. It also advances the pursuit of practical fusion energy.

In April 2025, Lawrence Livermore National lab (LLNL) had its eighth successful ignition experiment and set another record for energy yield, delivering 8.6 MJ from 2.08 MJ of energy to the target and further demonstrating that NIF can repeatedly conduct fusion experiments at multi-megajoule levels of energy output. They got over four times the energy out. They put 2.08 Megajoules in and got 8.6 megajoules out.

2.2 MJ to 2.6 MJ: LLNL is actively pursuing this increase through the EYC project, with CD-0 approval secured in September 2024, marking the start of the funding process. While full funding is not yet finalized, the project is on track to progress with DOE support.

2.6 MJ to 3.0 MJ: There is potential for this further increase, as indicated by discussions of laser pulses up to 3.0 MJ and a technical roadmap for higher gains. However, specific funding or approval for this step is not yet detailed.

In conclusion, LLNL has secured initial approval and is in the process of obtaining funding to raise the laser fusion power from 2.2 MJ to 2.6 MJ under the EYC plan.