- International capital drives further development of fusion industry in Germany
As part of the successful Series A financing round, RWE has expanded its investment in the Darmstadt-based laser fusion company Focused Energy by a further 60 million euros, following its initial investment in October 2025.
Nuclear fusion is developing apace worldwide, and Germany is gaining significant heft in the global fusion market. As well as RWE and the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, renowned investors from Europe, the US, Asia and the Gulf region also participated in the financing round. This is a clear sign that German start-ups, and in particular Focused Energy in the area of laser fusion, are seen by foreign investors as promising drivers of technological innovation in the area of fusion. Germany has an outstanding ecosystem made up of excellent research and start-ups, supportive industrial corporations, and existing sites that can be used. Added to this is a strong supply chain. These are great conditions in which to leverage a decisive advantage in terms of speed when it comes to international competition on fusion energy. Germany thus has excellent chances of retaining and further expanding the leading role it currently plays in nuclear fusion in the global competitive market.
In this context and in collaboration with the state of Hesse and other partners, Focused Energy is participating in the German government's current call for proposals for a Laser fusion hub. The Biblis site would be able to take on a key role in the further development of fusion technology in Germany – as a central laser fusion campus where business, research and innovation are bundled.
The Darmstadt company, which is already active at the Biblis site, will use the funding primarily to further develop laser fusion at that location. Focused Energy is thus creating a key prerequisite for the implementation of its fusion roadmap and, in addition to the required public funding, is making an important contribution towards the future fusion hub. If the Biblis site wins the tender for the laser fusion hub, RWE will accelerate the decommissioning process to adapt the existing nuclear infrastructure so that it is available for use in a fusion context as early as possible.
Dr. Markus Krebber, CEO RWE AG: 'Thanks to its excellent research ecosystem and innovative start-ups such as Focused Energy – one of the leading companies in the field of laser fusion – Germany is well-positioned to take a leading global role in nuclear fusion. That is why we are prepared to further expand our investment in Focused Energy. It sends an important message that the German federal and state governments are working together to advance development with the goal of building a commercial fusion reactor in Germany. RWE fully supports this goal: with our sites that we are currently decommissioning, their existing nuclear infrastructure, and our long-standing expertise in dealing with regulatory approvals, we are creating ideal conditions to secure internationally competitive advantages for Germany, both in terms of time and costs.'
Thomas Forner, CEO Focused Energy: 'This is bringing fusion energy in Germany and Europe into a new era. Now it's about how to use our research excellence and industrial strength in fusion technology, which is so prioritized by high-tech agendas, to effectively create industrial value. We would like to thank our partners and investors for their trust. The successful financing round confirms our science-based laser fusion approach, which has turned Focused Energy from a start-up into the world's leading laser fusion company in just four years. With this new capital we can further expand our leading position in laser fusion in Hesse.'
Boris Rhein, Prime Minister of the State of Hesse: 'This is a big step towards expanding Hesse's position as a leading location for cutting-edge research and development in laser-based nuclear fusion. This is a great day For Biblis and for Hesse.'
Source: RWE
