📋 Tender Overview
July 29, 2026
Prime Minister Dr. Markus Soder and Science Minister Markus Blume: Nuclear fusion is the future of energy supply - the Federal Governments hub for magnetic fusion promotes cutting-edge technology Made in Bavaria
MUNICH. The Free State of Bavaria will be the home of the German hub for magnetic fusion research. This forward-looking fundamental decision was made today by the federal government in coordination with the states. This will further expand Bavarias international position in magnetic fusion research around the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching near Munich. The Free State is already making decisive progress there with the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda and the federal government is now also supporting this with the merger hub from the Germany High-Tech Agenda.
Prime Minister Dr. Markus Soder: Energy is the lifeblood of our economy. Nuclear fusion is an opportunity for safe, clean and affordable energy in almost unlimited quantities. That is why Bavaria is resolutely pushing forward research into the energy supply of the future. This requires courage and force. The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching is already one of the worlds leading centers for magnetic fusion research. We are investing 400 million euros in the Alpha demonstration reactor alone. We are very committed to supporting future technologies in Berlin. Thanks to our Technology Minister Dorothee Bar. Germanys opportunity for jobs and prosperity lies in science and research in the future. Only those who rely on technology will be able to keep up with international competition in the long term. Nuclear fusion could become a new global cutting-edge technology - and it should be Made in Bavaria.
Science Minister Markus Blume: Fusion is an opportunity of the century - scientifically, technologically and economically. Bavaria is involved in all three fusion hubs of the High-Tech Agenda Germany. The magnet hub will be located directly here at the IPP in Garching with another location in Gundremmingen. One thing is clear: Bavaria, with its unique fusion ecosystem, is and remains the central driver of fusion research in Germany. Bavaria is not just a free state, Bavaria is a fusion state. With our Bavarian master plan, investments, new Professorships and research groups have done pioneering work - together with the federal government and the fusion alliance of the states, we are now taking the next step on the way to the fusion reactor. We are a driving force and partner. Because it is clear: Fusion is a joint effort - it succeeds with the collaboration of the federal and state governments and science, industry and start-ups.
Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger: The decision in favor of the three fusion hubs is a strong signal for Germany as a technology location. Bavaria has everything it needs: excellent research, innovative companies and an efficient industry. These partners can work together ideally in the hubs. Because efficient supply chains, coordinated training initiatives and the mutual use of infrastructure are important steps on the way to a commercially used reactor. If we successfully bring nuclear fusion to market maturity, new jobs, new added value and a... real competitive advantage for Bavaria.
Fusion technologies open up new perspectives for a sustainable energy supply in the future and at the same time offer significant opportunities for Germany as a location for innovation and business. Nuclear fusion is a completely new technology for base-load, CO2-free and clean electricity in almost unlimited quantities. The establishment of the fusion hubs as part of the High-tech Agenda Germany creates a central platform that bundles competencies in the areas of laser and magnetic fusion as well as fuel cycle and material development, strengthens the exchange between the players and accelerates the transfer of research results into industrial application. In the first phase, funding of up to 125 million euros is possible. The hubs approach is intended to bring start-ups in the fusion sector, scientific institutions and leading companies in the high-tech industry and their value and supply chains closely together. The hub for magnetic fusion is to be built around the IPP in Garching near Munich. The hub for laser fusion is linked to the XFEL in Hamburg and the Biblis site. In addition, a hub with a focus on fuel cycles and material development is to be created around the KIT in Karlsruhe. Overall, Bavarian institutions are involved in all three hubs.
Bavaria is very active in fusion research and plays the fusion double pass: the Free State is providing up to 400 million euros for magnetic fusion alone for the planned construction of the Alpha demo reactor. Large German players such as RWE are working with Bavarian start-ups such as Proxima Fusion and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. A Stellaris fusion demo power plant is also planned in Gundremmingen. This is used to research the technology and test its feasibility in reality. Proxima Fusion wants to build a magnet factory with private investors and plans to employ up to 1,000 people.
In April 2024, a nuclear fusion expert commission was launched in Bavaria and presented recommendations for the implementation of the nuclear fusion master plan. With the aim of a quick start, the recommendations initially focused on a training offensive at universities with the establishment of new chairs and junior research groups, the establishment of possible study programs and the expansion of national, European and international cooperation in order to exploit synergies.
Philipp Sporlein, deputy press spokesman, 089 2186 2681
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