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Proxima Fusion, Bavaria, RWE and IPP Sign MoU for Europe’s First Commercial Stellarator Power Plant

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  • A rendering of a Stellaris power plant (Image: Proxima Fusion)
    A rendering of a Stellaris power plant (Image: Proxima Fusion)
    Image: World Nuclear News
    A rendering of a Stellaris power plant (Image: Proxima Fusion) Source Full size
  • The Stellaria concept (Image: Proxima Fusion)
    The Stellaria concept (Image: Proxima Fusion)
    Image: World Nuclear News
    The Stellaria concept (Image: Proxima Fusion) Source Full size
  • Alpha Alliance members (Image: Proxima Fusion)
    Alpha Alliance members (Image: Proxima Fusion)
    Image: World Nuclear News
    Alpha Alliance members (Image: Proxima Fusion) Source Full size

MoU signed to build world’s first commercial stellarator – Munich‑based Proxima Fusion, the Free State of Bavaria, RWE and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics agreed to construct a commercial stellarator fusion plant at the former Gundremmingen nuclear site, with a roadmap that begins with the Alpha demonstration reactor in Garching, slated for the 2030s [1].

Alpha demo aims for net‑energy gain in the 2030s – The Alpha stellarator will be the first to generate more energy than it consumes, serving as a testbed for key fusion technologies and accelerating development of the subsequent Stellaris commercial plant [1].

Financing split between private investors and public funds – Proxima plans to fund roughly 20 % of total costs via international private investors, Bavaria may match with a 20 % state contribution pending federal funding, and RWE has signaled additional financial participation under the MoU [1].

Alpha Alliance gathers 30+ industry partners for supply‑chain readiness – Proxima launched an industrial consortium including firms such as Siemens Energy, Air Liquide and Framatome to coordinate manufacturing, system integration and materials needed for Alpha and future stellarator plants [1].

German Fusion Action Plan earmarks over €2 billion by 2029 – The federal cabinet’s plan, part of the High‑Tech Agenda Germany, commits more than €2 billion to fusion research, infrastructure and pilot projects, aiming for a commercial plant by 2040 [1].

Stellarator design differs from tokamak, offering operational advantages – Unlike tokamaks like ITER, a stellarator twists its magnetic coils in a figure‑8 shape, avoiding the density imbalance of toroidal coils and potentially simplifying continuous operation [1].

  • Proxima Fusion (company statement) – “All four partners are pooling their efforts to maximise chances of success in securing federal funding under the High‑Tech Agenda Germany.”
  • Francesco Sciortino, Co‑Founder & CEO of Proxima Fusion – Called the MoU “a milestone that visibly positions the European fusion industry on the global stage,” emphasizing the creation of an industrial ecosystem that links research, private finance and implementation.
  • Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE – Stated that “the potential of fusion technology for the energy supply of the future is enormous” and highlighted Germany’s research landscape and RWE’s support through its decommissioning site and expertise.
  • Proxima Fusion (on Alpha Alliance) – Explained the alliance “coordinates manufacturing, system integration and supply chains… to industrialise and scale fusion systems, shortening learning cycles and building a competitive supply chain.”

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