The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides the German Aerospace Center (DLR) with around 157 million euros for the operation of the technology platform for power-to-liquid fuels (TPP) in Leuna, 30 km west of Leipzig. The funds secure the research and testing operation of the facility for the period from 2028 to 2035.
According to the ministry, the TPP is the world's first fully integrated research facility where electricity-based fuels are tested across the entire process chain on a semi-industrial scale. The aim is to test, scientifically evaluate, and further develop technologies and processes for the production of electricity-based fuels (power-to-liquid, PtL) under real industrial conditions.
The facility operates in what is known as campaign mode. In this mode, individual process steps are operated sequentially under practical conditions. The annual production capacity is between 2,000 and 3,000 tonnes of PtL fuel. According to the DLR, this makes Leuna currently the largest research site for electricity-based fuel worldwide.
The technology platform is intended to provide impetus for the market ramp-up of renewable fuels in aviation, shipping, and heavy-duty transport. These sectors are considered difficult to decarbonize and require long-term climate-neutral alternatives to fossil fuels.
As early as 2023, the DLR had been awarded the contract for the planning and construction of the facility. For the planning phase, the BMDV provided 5.48 million euros, followed by 130 million euros in 2024 for construction.
Professor Meike Jipp, DLR's Executive Board Member for Energy and Transport, emphasizes: "The DLR is making an important contribution with the TPP to shaping the profound transformation of the energy, mobility, and industrial sectors and to strengthening Germany as a business location in challenging times with forward-looking technologies."
The state government of Saxony-Anhalt sees the funding as a signal for structural change in the region. Infrastructure Minister Lydia Hüskens stated: "Structural change will only succeed if a future-proof infrastructure is created here that offers good jobs."
Economics Minister Sven Schulze also emphasized the importance of the project for the Leuna site: "Fuel has been produced in Leuna for over 100 years – there is no better place in all of Germany for this project."
