The world’s first commercial nuclear fusion power plant is set to begin operations in Germany in the 2040s, according to the German government’s long-term plans.
It set this target in a “roadmap” for achieving goals in the field of fusion energy, which was published in Berlin on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Research.
The aim is to build the world’s first demonstration fusion power plant in Germany by the end of the 2030s and the world’s first commercial fusion power plant in the 2040s.
Politically, high hopes are pinned on fusion energy, which is generated when atomic nuclei are fused under very high temperatures and pressures, in contrast to nuclear fission in conventional nuclear power stations. In theory, this could be used to generate large amounts of energy in a climate-neutral way.
Research is being conducted worldwide into how this could be implemented in a power station. Despite recent progress, experts are not certain whether it will ultimately succeed. What is certain is that fusion will not be a quick fix for current energy problems.
Alongside the roadmap for fusion energy the Ministry of Research also published roadmaps with targets for five further key technologies identified as being central to the country’s future: artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, microelectronics (chips), biotechnology and technologies for climate-neutral mobility. These fields are to be funded and developed accordingly.