Germany Plans First Laser-Based Fusion Reactor at Former Biblis Nuclear Plant

An industrial alliance, supported by the Hessian government, aims to develop a laser-fusion power plant by 2035, positioning the region as a leader in fusion energy research.

• The proposed laser-fusion reactor will be built on the site of the decommissioned Biblis nuclear power plant in Hesse, Germany, with a target completion date of 2035.
• The project is led by an alliance of major companies, including Siemens Energy, Trumpf, and RWE, alongside research institutions such as the Technical University of Darmstadt and GSI Helmholtzzentrum.
• The Hessian government has allocated €20 million in initial funding for the development of a fusion campus, with plans to seek additional support from federal, EU, and private investments.
• Critics, including environmental groups and the Green Party, argue that laser-based fusion technology is costly, unproven, and unlikely to contribute significantly to Germany's climate goals by 2045.
• The initiative seeks to establish Hesse as a global hub for fusion research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, new academic programs, and job creation in energy technology.

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