Germany invests €500 million in nuclear fusion

Berlin (d.de) – Germany is pressing ahead with the development of fusion power plants. As part of Germany’s High-Tech Agenda, the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) has launched a new funding programme on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research. The aim is primarily to support startups and young technology companies in harnessing nuclear fusion to generate energy. The Federal Government is providing €500 million for this purpose until 2029. 

“Fusion has seen major scientific breakthroughs in recent years and is on the threshold of moving from basic research to industrial and commercial applications,” said Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär. 

How does nuclear fusion work? 

Nuclear fusion involves light atomic nuclei combining, thereby releasing large amounts of energy. This is also how the sun produces its energy. Researchers are looking to harness this process on Earth to generate large amounts of climate-friendly electricity in the future. However, there are currently no commercially viable fusion power plants. 

Germany is one of the leading centres of international fusion research. Two different fusion methods are being researched at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching near Munich and in Greifswald. Scientists in Karlsruhe and Jülich are also working on the technology. A laser fusion power plant is planned for the site of the former nuclear power station in Biblis, Hesse. 

 The aim of the new funding programme is to accelerate the transition from research to practical application. Companies will receive financial support when they achieve specified technical and commercial targets. Those that fail to meet these milestones will be eliminated from the programme. The initial goal is to produce a detailed blueprint for a demonstration fusion power plant. In the long term, public funding is to increase to as much as €2.5 billion.