Germany has signed up to a European innovative nuclear technologies project promoting nuclear fusion technology and will commit around €2.4bn ($2.8bn) towards its development under the current government.

In a statement, the German government said that by participating in the “Important Project of Common European Interest” (IPCEI) that it wanted to help advance fusion energy as a strategically important key technology in Europe.

“It is a clear aim of the federal government that Germany should be home to the world’s first fusion power plant,” said Dorothee Bär, the country’s research minister.

The government also announced the rollout of roadmaps for future key technologies under its German High-Tech Agenda. This covers the development of six technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, microelectronics, biotechnology, fusion research and climate-neutral energy and mobility.