Helical Fusion and Toshiba Team Up on HTS Technology for Fusion Energy

Aiming for the world’s first commercial fusion reactor, the two companies will co-develop current leads for cutting-edge high-temperature superconducting coils.

Helical Fusion Co., Ltd. (“Helical Fusion”) has signed an agreement with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) to initiate joint development of current leads system for high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets.

Concept image including a current lead for HTS coils (created by Helical Fusion)

This collaboration is part of Helical Fusion‘s flagship initiative, the “Helix Program”, which aims to realize the world’s first steady-state, net power fusion plant—Helix KANATA—within the 2030s. A critical enabler of this effort is the development of an advanced HTS magnet system, one of the key engineering priorities for achieving a deployable fusion machine.

Toshiba ESS brings decades of experience in superconducting and fusion technologies, having contributed to the development of world-class experimental devices such as the Large Helical Device (LHD) and the JT-60SA. Its expertise spans the engineering, manufacturing, and integration of superconducting magnets, cryogenic systems, and current supply technologies.

Under this agreement, the two companies will jointly explore the development of current leads capable of delivering high current to HTS magnets. The collaboration will integrate Helical Fusion’s HTS cable technologies with Toshiba ESS’s know-how in high-performance current supply systems, aiming to establish a scalable and practical solution for commercial fusion applications.

This partnership marks a key step toward realizing compact, energy-efficient, and strong magnetic field systems—essential for commercially viable fusion power plants. Beyond accelerating the commercialization of fusion energy, the joint development also aims to strengthen the entire fusion supply chain.

Concept image of the steady-state net power fusion plant “Helix KANATA” under development by Helical Fusion

Comment from Takaya Taguchi, Co-Founder and CEO, Helical Fusion

Advanced HTS technologies are not only critical for enabling fusion energy but also hold transformative potential in sectors such as medical imaging, aerospace, and quantum computing. We are thrilled to partner with Toshiba ESS—a leader in translating scientific excellence into industrial systems—to co-develop critical components for fusion power plants. This collaboration will help solidify a robust HTS supply chain and bring commercial fusion one step closer to reality.