Germany has launched a bold new initiative to harness the power of the stars. Through its “Action Plan: Germany on the Path to a Fusion Power Plant,” the federal government aims to build the country’s first fusion power prototype by 2029, marking a major step toward sustainable and carbon-free energy.
According to the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the plan sets out eight key action areas, from expanding national research infrastructure to forging stronger partnerships between industry and academia. Over €2 billion in funding has been earmarked through 2029 to accelerate fusion research and build demonstration facilities capable of proving commercial feasibility.
An industry-led consortium—uniting start-ups, established energy firms, and leading research institutions—will oversee the project. Fusion energy has been placed alongside artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and microelectronics as a pillar of Germany’s Hightech Agenda, highlighting its role as a strategic national priority.
Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär hailed the plan as “a flagship of Germany’s innovation policy and a milestone toward clean, safe, and affordable energy.” She added that mastering fusion would strengthen energy independence while helping the country meet its climate goals.
Germany will also deepen international cooperation by engaging in projects such as ITER and IFMIF-DONES, and by strengthening ties with the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada. Both magnetic confinement and laser-driven fusion approaches will be advanced in parallel to maximize innovation potential. Beyond the science, the plan seeks to make fusion an industrial success story.