In 2025, St1 and Novatron Fusion Group AB (NFG) advanced the development of fusion energy by engaging stakeholders and collaborating internationally. The companies co-hosted the Nordic Fusion Forum in Espoo, Finland, and teamed up at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.

In March 2025, St1 entered a long-term strategic partnership with Swedish Novatron Fusion Group AB (NFG). The partnership aims to strengthen Nordic energy resilience and accelerate the development of fossil-free, safe, and scalable fusion energy.

NFG’s unique NOVATRON fusion solution has the potential to overcome key barriers in the advancement of fusion energy. St1 contributes to the technology’s development as lead investor and board member, offering industrial, business, and regulatory expertise.

Nordic Fusion Forum sparks momentum

In October 2025, the Nordic Fusion Forum was held in Espoo, Finland, following its successful launch in Sweden the year before. Bringing together more than 130 policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and investors, the event advanced collaboration on fusion energy and strengthened the Nordics’ role as a frontrunner in the field.

“The key barrier for fusion is lack of awareness. With events like the Nordic Fusion Forum, we are able to tackle that,” says Sanna Jokila, St1’s Public Affairs Lead in Finland.

As NFG prepares to build a pilot fusion reactor in the Nordic region in the 2030s, it commissioned the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) to assess potential sites across the four Nordic countries. VTT presented its findings at the Nordic Fusion Forum, showing that Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway all meet the technical requirements, with Finland leading in regulatory readiness.

Distinguishing fusion from conventional nuclear energy, which is based on fission, is essential for progress.

“In Finland, the upcoming 2027 legislation will bring fusion under the Radiation Act, aligning regulation with fusion's actual risk profile and enabling faster progress toward large-scale clean electricity production,” Jokila explains.

From the Nordic Fusion Forum 2025

From left: Kim Dahlbacka, Regional Account Director, Eastern and Northern Europe at Westinghouse Electric Company; Tuomas Tala, Research Professor, Fusion Energy, and Head of the Finnish Fusion Research Unit at VTT; Atte Harjanne, Member of the Finnish Parliament (Green Party); Karl Thedéen, CEO of Studsvik; and Linda Werner, Head of Investments and Innovations at St1

Driving fusion at COP30

St1 and NFG participated in the global climate negotiations, COP30, as part of the Finland Pavilion’s official delegation to build awareness on the potential of fusion energy. Lea Rankinen, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at St1, says: “Determined implementation of the energy transition requires global collaboration, and COP30 is the forum where that happens.”

St1’s aim at COP30 was to engage with decision-makers and highlight ways to accelerate fusion energy investments. The companies hosted two events: a panel discussion featuring leading experts and an interactive Fusion Energy Mingle.

Towards a Nordic fusion strategy

St1 and NFG are combining their respective strengths within science and industry to reach an ambitious shared goal: reducing society’s dependence on fossil fuels while meeting the growing energy demands of the future.

Several ongoing efforts to raise awareness of fusion and develop a shared fusion strategy for the Nordic countries will continue. One example is the publicly funded Vinnova initiative, “Fusion Centre of Excellence,” led by Novatron Fusion Group with St1 as a key contributor.

“Fusion represents one of the most transformative opportunities in the global energy transition. Through our work within Vinnova’s fusion cluster, we are helping to build the Nordic capabilities needed to industrialise fusion in a responsible and scalable way. This is a long‑term effort, but also one of the most promising pathways to secure sustainable, reliable, and fossil‑free energy for future generations,” says Linda Werner, Head of Investments and Innovations at St1.

Another milestone for Nordic fusion development in 2026 will be the next edition of the Nordic Fusion Forum, set to take place in Copenhagen in October.