“Hesse to become the number one location for nuclear fusion”
Unique network of politics, business and science lays the foundation for laser-based nuclear fusion in Hesse in Biblis
26.03.2025 |
At a top-level meeting at the former nuclear power plant site in Biblis, Minister President Boris Rhein described laser-based nuclear fusion as a key technology for a clean and economical energy supply. Professor Thomas Nilsson, Scientific Director of GSI and FAIR, also took part in the meeting and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on nuclear fusion together with numerous representatives from politics, business and science.
“We need an energy mix that is open to all technologies, because the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow. We can only secure our prosperity if energy is available at all times and remains affordable for everyone. Nuclear fusion can be the game changer and bring about the decisive breakthrough,” said Head of the State Government Boris Rhein in Biblis. Together with representatives from industry and research, the state government wants to move in the direction of commercial fusion energy. “We are committed to a common vision. We want to establish Hesse as a leading location for cutting-edge research and development in laser-based nuclear fusion and pave the way towards commercial fusion energy. To this end, a demonstration plant and later a power plant are to be funded at the Biblis site.”
Minister President Rhein emphasized the importance of innovation-friendly policies. “Cutting-edge research into innovative forms of energy must again take place in Germany. It is a very good signal that the future federal government wants to promote fusion research more strongly and is pursuing the goal of building the world's first fusion reactor in Germany. We must not phase out everywhere, but must also get back in,” said the head of the state government and added: “I am firmly convinced that we can make nuclear fusion the energy supplier of the future. Biblis is to become a nucleus for energy supply ‘made in Hesse’ — making Hesse the number one location for nuclear fusion. The state government will provide up to 20 million euros this year for research into nuclear fusion.” In addition to state investment, private funds and funding from federal and EU programs will also be used.
The Deputy Head of Government, Minister of Economic Affairs Kaweh Mansoori, made it clear that global energy demand will continue to grow in the coming decades. “This presents us with the urgent task of using all available options to ensure a climate-friendly, secure and economical energy supply. In addition to the expansion of wind and solar energy, we are therefore also focusing on investments in future technologies such as laser-based nuclear fusion. Germany and Hesse in particular are excellently positioned for this,” he said, adding: ”With companies such as Focused Energy in Darmstadt and the excellent local scientific institutions, we have players who are setting standards in international fusion research. It is a historic opportunity for Hesse not only to develop a key technology, but also to produce it competitively. This is a decisive step towards strengthening our innovative power and independence at a time when international supply chains and energy imports are becoming increasingly uncertain. I am convinced that the energy sector and the industrial landscape in Hesse can be developed in a sustainable manner. To this end, we want to drive forward the development of a highly developed infrastructure and the creation of new jobs in research, development and industrial production.”
“Fusion energy offers great long-term potential,” said Timon Gremmels, Hessian Minister for Science and Research, Art and Culture. “There is still a lot of exciting research work ahead of us before we get there. We want to establish Hesse as a leading location for cutting-edge research and the development of laser-based nuclear fusion. At the same time, we want to conduct research into marketable renewable energies and storage technologies in the short and medium term in order to become climate-neutral by 2045. With our strong research landscape and the planned Cluster of Excellence ‘Energy 2040’, we have the best prerequisites for this in Hesse. By driving both forward in equal measure, we can put an end to expensive dependencies on fossil fuels.”
“With their basic research and expertise in the fields of plasma physics and materials research, GSI and FAIR have been driving forward the technological maturity of laser-based fusion for decades,” said Professor Thomas Nilsson at the event. “By training young researchers, we are passing on the necessary knowledge to new generations and paving the way for future socially relevant applications. Our work is an indispensable backbone for industrial application and contributes to Hesse's pioneering role both nationally and internationally.”
In the MoU, representatives from politics, business and science commit to paving the way to commercial fusion energy for Hesse and establishing the state as a leading location for cutting-edge research and the development of laser-based nuclear fusion.
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