Germany’s New Government Readies for a Push Towards Fusion Power
As Germany-based fusion companies make rapid strides on the path to commercial fusion deployment, the German government is ramping up to support. FIA members Proxima Fusion, Marvel Fusion, Focused Energy, and Gauss Fusion are expanding the fusion industry in not only Germany, but globally. These companies are advancing their fusion technologies and making significant announcements. With substantial investments, strategic planning, and a focus on technological innovation, Germany is positioning itself at the forefront of the global race to commercial fusion.
Germany’s new government intends to build the world’s first fusion power plants, using two competing technologies. Prior to the recent victory of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) in the 2025 election, the CDU and CSU unveiled a new energy agenda that emphasizes the potential of fusion energy to transform the energy landscape. As outlined in their draft for the Energy Congress in 2024, Germany plans to construct two fusion plants, marking a pivotal moment in the pursuit of sustainable, clean energy.
The CDU/CSU’s “New Energy Agenda for Germany” underscores that fusion energy could be a “game changer” for the global energy sector. They presented a goal of commissioning two fusion plants, each using different technological approaches, likely one laser-driven and one magnetic. These plants will serve as the foundation for a new, sustainable energy model that would meet Germany’s growing demand for electricity in the coming decades—demand projected to increase two to three times by 2050. Fusion energy’s potential to generate vast amounts of clean electricity without CO2 emissions would make it a crucial part of Germany’s strategy for achieving climate neutrality.
The document (in translation) reads:
“We are open to future technologies that still need to be further researched and developed. Fusion energy, for example, can be a game changer for this energy supply of the future. If fusion is successful, it would be the biggest change in the energy sector since the industrial revolution. This technology is now at a point where bold decisions are being made and regulatory and investment decisions are being made. The world’s first fusion reactor connected to the grid is to be located in Germany. That is why we are in favor of the federal government commissioning two fusion reactors with competing technology.”
CDU/CSU “New Energy Agenda for Germany”
Just recently, in early March 2025, the CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) concluded initial discussions about forming a coalition government. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU, discussed fusion energy production, specifically the prioritization of global fusion energy dominance by Germany. Merz’s quote (in translation):
“We also set ourselves ambitious goals in research and development. We have agreed together that we would like to see the world’s first fusion machine in Germany.”
Friedrich Merz, opening remarks
This government’s plan supports Germany’s long-term approach to inclusive fusion research, with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supporting both magnetic confinement fusion (MFE) and inertial confinement fusion (IFE) technologies. The new government’s strategy would continue funding both technologies to build a comprehensive fusion energy ecosystem.
Fusion has received significant cross-partisan support from German leaders. In 2023, Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger, a member of the Free Democratic Party, announced a funding program worth over one billion euros for fusion research spanning five years. This funding is designed to support institutions like the Institute of Plasma Physics (IPP), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the Jülich Research Center (FZJ) in their efforts to develop fusion power technologies. Stark-Watzinger emphasized the creation of a “fusion ecosystem” that integrates industry and research to fast-track the development of fusion energy in Germany.
In May 2023, BMBF published an important memorandum on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE), underscoring the country’s strategic commitment to becoming a leader in fusion technology. BMBF’s goal is not just to develop a fusion power plant in Germany, but to establish Germany as a leader in the global fusion energy sector. To secure Germany’s leadership in the field, the memorandum recommends fostering public-private partnerships, supporting domestic industries, and enhancing international collaboration. It stresses the need for immediate action, noting that other countries are rapidly advancing in the IFE sector, and Germany must act decisively to maintain its competitive edge. The memorandum also outlines a roadmap for building a fusion ecosystem in Germany, creating a robust supply chain, and ensuring that the country remains a technological leader in the global fusion energy race.
Acatech, Germany’s National Academy of Science and Engineering, published “Nuclear Fusion Made in Germany” in January 2025 outlining key strategies for building an innovation ecosystem to drive Germany’s leadership in fusion that can provide guidance as the new government gets moving. It emphasizes the importance of a clear roadmap to guide fusion development and advocates for technology-neutral basic research, recommending the construction of both inertial and magnetic fusion demonstration plants. It suggests the creation of a “Fusion Energy Act” to regulate fusion power plants separately from nuclear fission, fostering a risk-appropriate and innovation-friendly environment. Additionally, the report stresses the need for international cooperation, a harmonized regulatory framework, and securing growth capital to ensure the successful commercialization of fusion energy.
German government efforts are supportive of the rapidly expanding fusion industry. With significant investment, strategic planning, and a focus on innovation, Germany is positioning itself as a global leader in fusion.
