Germany selects Hesse for laser fusion hub as Darmstadt accelerator stays on track
Germany has chosen Biblis for a new laser fusion center, while Darmstadt's FAIR particle accelerator remains scheduled to open in late 2027 despite €145 million in fire damage.
Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research has selected Biblis in Hesse as the site for a new national center for laser fusion research, partnering with Darmstadt-based startup Focused Energy to build the facility.
Meanwhile, state officials confirmed that the FAIR particle accelerator project at the GSI Helmholtz Centre in Darmstadt remains scheduled to begin operations by late 2027. The project recently suffered a major fire that caused an estimated €145 million in damage, with some repairs expected to take several years. Hesse's Research and Science Minister Timon Gremmels expressed confidence that researchers will still achieve their primary goals on schedule. Together, the two developments reinforce the German state's role as a major regional center for advanced physics research.
Sources: FAZ