Chinese scientists are set to complete the development of the powerful fusion reactor BEST (Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak), commonly referred to as the “artificial sun”, by 2027.

The project, developed by the Institute of Plasma Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is located in Hefei, the administrative capital of Anhui Province in eastern China.                  According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, the experimental superconducting reactor is planned to be completed in 2027 and could become the world’s first electricity-generating facility of its kind.

The compact fusion reactor features a massive Dewar shell functioning like a high-vacuum thermos. The shell weighs over 400 tons, with a diameter of 18 meters and a height of 5 meters. It is equipped with superconducting magnets that operate at minus 269 degrees Celsius to confine burning plasma composed of deuterium and tritium.

Several Chinese projects have informally earned the nickname “Artificial Sun.” Previously, the same title was given to the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) fusion reactor, which achieved the world’s longest plasma operation, maintaining high-temperature plasma continuously for 1,066 seconds during its latest experiment in early 2025.

Experts say that the BEST reactor will simulate the core conditions of the Sun, producing immense energy through controlled nuclear fusion. This technological advancement is seen as a major milestone in China’s energy strategy, aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels and asserting a stronger position in global energy markets.

The successful completion of the “Artificial Sun” could transform China into a global leader in fusion energy, offering a sustainable and high-efficiency alternative to traditional power sources while marking a historic breakthrough in human energy innovation. (ILKHA)