Fusion and climate-neutral energy generation

Fusion is a future technology with great potential for new value-creation structures and for being the energy supply of the future. In combination with other energy technologies such as solar and wind power, geothermal energy, and hydrogen, fusion technology creates a climate-neutral, secure, reliable, and affordable energy supply for us all – in our homes, in transport, and in the economy. With this mix, we are creating prosperity and independence while protecting the climate.

Sources of clean, secure, and affordable energy

During fusion, hydrogen nuclei merge at high temperatures to form helium. This releases an enormous amount of energy: one gram of fusion fuel provides energy comparable to approximately eleven tonnes of coal. Solar and wind power already provide us with climate-neutral energy today. In the future, battery and storage technologies will ensure that their energy is available to us all year round. Hydrogen in particular allows us to store and transport energy from renewable sources and use it where large quantities are required, such as in the steel industry. Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the earth’s interior and can supply entire communities with sustainable heat.

Our objectives

The High-Tech Agenda Germany pursues two key objectives in the area of climate-neutral energy generation: 

1. We are making Germany a leading location for innovation in fusion technologies. We want to make German companies world leaders in fusion and create jobs.

2. We are supporting innovation and new technologies for the energy transition so that system costs are reduced, no new dependencies arise, and the resilience of our energy system is strengthened. With the help of cutting-edge research, we are developing “Made in Germany” energy technologies for the global markets of tomorrow and beyond, enabling German manufacturers to take a leading position in international competition in the field of innovative renewable energies.

Renewable energies are not only a valuable investment in the future in terms of climate change. The international market for renewable energy technologies is growing and offers enormous value-creation potential for Germany. Germany is well placed to exploit this potential: we have one of the most efficient research infrastructures in the world, and our research and business communities are extremely well connected internationally. However, high energy costs and a shortage of skilled workers are slowing down the development of innovative energy technologies in Germany. To this end, we are partly dependent on other, non-European countries for rare earths and other raw materials that are relevant for research and development in energy technologies.

© Getty Images/ArtistGNDphotography

Our measures

The High-Tech Agenda Germany envisages three key steps to make Germany the leading location for fusion: planning, creating the right conditions, and investment. In a first step, we are determining the path to the first German fusion power plant and identifying the technologies required to achieve this.

In order to establish effective research infrastructures in both areas, we are setting up a hub and networking activities for magnetic and laser fusion, where researchers can share their expertise and test technologies. We are also promoting Germany’s research landscape with new funding initiatives, ranging from exploratory approaches in fusion research to basic technologies for fusion.

We are pooling research into other key technologies for the energy transition in a goal-oriented and technology-neutral energy research programme. From 2026, we will be launching new real-world laboratories for the energy transition in order to systematically test innovations and strengthen the confidence of investors and users. In addition, from 2026 onwards, we will be launching a new deep geothermal energy research initiative and a Hydrogen Research Hub – Hydrogen4Future – to promote developments in both areas.

Outlook

Fusion and other renewable energy technologies offer Germany great potential for a competitive and climate-friendly energy supply, for our prosperity, and for our independence. Germany excels here with an outstanding research landscape, but we lag behind in international competition when it comes to transfer and commercialisation. With targeted design of research infrastructures and new funding, the High-Tech Agenda Germany ensures that Germany leaps to the top of the world rankings.