Strategic Investment in HTS Manufacturing
Proxima intends to invest approximately EUR140 million (USD46.5 million) in the initial two phases of the project, slated for completion by the end of 2029. The funding structure is planned to be equally split between private capital and public contributions. The State of Lower Saxony has committed EUR21 million, representing nearly 30% of the proposed public funding.
The planned facility in Lower Saxony is designed to be the first of its kind in Germany and Europe. It will provide a critical industrial base for Proxima's Alpha fusion demonstrator, the Stellaris power plant planned for the former Gundremmingen nuclear power plant site, and future large-scale stellarator production. Proxima anticipates needing around 20,000 kilometers of HTS tape for Alpha and an additional 40,000 kilometers for Stellaris.
Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience and Technological Independence
The establishment of this HTS manufacturing capacity is expected to reduce Europe's reliance on overseas suppliers, particularly from Asia, where industrial-scale HTS tape production is currently concentrated. This move aims to strengthen European supply chains and retain manufacturing expertise within the region.
Beyond fusion energy applications, the HTS tape produced at the facility will also serve other sectors. These include high-performance electricity grids, medical imaging and treatment, advanced propulsion systems, and various high-field magnet technologies. Proxima is actively engaging with international technology partners to integrate established HTS manufacturing expertise into the Lower Saxony facility.
Economic and Industrial Impact
Officials from Lower Saxony emphasize that the project will support Germany's fusion energy objectives while bringing advanced manufacturing capabilities, economic value, and skilled employment opportunities to the state. The initiative is also expected to foster innovation across multiple industries.
HTS tape is a specialized metallic tape that achieves superconductivity at relatively high temperatures, enabling the creation of powerful and compact electromagnets with minimal resistive losses. These magnets are essential for stellarators, as they generate the magnetic fields required to confine and control the extremely hot plasma within fusion machines. This technology is crucial for the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of future fusion power plants.
