Government Launches 'Milestone Program' to Secure Leadership in Fusion Commercialization
The German federal government announced on July 30 that it will launch the 'Milestone Program' in September, offering competitive subsidies to support companies in constructing fusion demonstration power plants. The program plans to invest around €9 billion (approximately NT$330 billion), focusing on two technological pathways: magnetic confinement fusion and laser-based fusion. One company from each pathway will be selected for phased funding. Dorothee Bär, Germany’s Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Aerospace, stated that the initiative aims to accelerate the commercialization of fusion technology and seize a leading position in the global energy transition.
The German federal government emphasized that fusion technology does not require burning fossil fuels and produces significantly less radioactive waste than conventional nuclear power, making it a key option for future clean energy. To achieve technological breakthroughs, the government will provide financial support through the Federal High-Tech Development Agenda (Hightech-Agenda), with plans to decide on a preferred development pathway by the mid-2030s based on technological progress.
Nationwide Deployment of Three Research Centers, Linking Over 30 Institutions
To accelerate the development of fusion technology, the German federal government simultaneously announced the establishment of three fusion research centers, connecting over 30 universities, research institutions, and enterprises across the country. The first research center, a collaboration between startup Proxima Fusion and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP), will focus on magnetic confinement fusion technology. This approach uses magnetic fields to control plasma at temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius, maintaining stable fusion reactions.
The second research center, comprising Focused Energy, Marvel Fusion, and the European XFEL, will concentrate on laser-based fusion technology. Research will explore how high-energy lasers can compress fuel to trigger fusion reactions. The third research center, located at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), will address critical bottlenecks in fusion commercialization, including high-temperature-resistant reactor materials, fuel cycles, and nuclear waste management.