Overview
- The federal cabinet adopted the action plan “Deutschland auf dem Weg zum Fusionskraftwerk,” pledging over €2 billion for fusion research through 2029 with the stated aim of building the first fusion power plant in Germany.
- The roadmap targets R&D into the early to mid‑2030s, a transfer phase into the early 2040s that could include a prototype, and broader deployment later in the 2040s.
- Measures include new research hubs by early 2026, up to €755 million for laser‑fusion infrastructure, workforce and IP support, standards work, and a dedicated regulatory track in the radiation protection law by 2026.
- Germany reaffirms participation in ITER and is assessing involvement in the IFMIF‑DONES materials facility under construction in Spain.
- Industry and regions are mobilizing, with RWE investing an initial €10 million in laser‑fusion startup Focused Energy and Hesse proposing Biblis as a potential site, while officials stress fusion is not a short‑term solution and public reaction remains mixed.