The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium Join Forces for the Einstein Telescope

‘The border region of the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium is the place for the Einstein Telescope, and we will do our utmost to bring it here’. This agreement was made today by Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs) with his colleagues from North Rhine-Westphalia, Wallonia, and Flanders during a joint visit to the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. This region is competing with other countries for the largest scientific construction project for the border area of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. The Einstein Telescope (ET) is an underground detector that detects gravitational waves. The project offers the three countries a unique opportunity to take a global leadership position in a new groundbreaking field of science: gravitational wave research. Additionally, the development of the telescope requires a lot of new knowledge, which stimulates technological innovations and business activity in the region.

Countries across Europe are working on a solid proposal to build the Einstein Telescope. Governments in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany are in the race, and Italy and the German state of Saxony are also preparing a bid. The Netherlands has set aside €870 million from the National Growth Fund for the construction of the telescope. The Flemish Government and European partners are also reserving money for the construction. Because the telescope is positive for the Dutch earning capacity in the long term, the project previously received €42 million from the Growth Fund.

Research indicates that every euro invested in the Einstein Telescope is expected to be returned 3 to 4 times, and the telescope will create about 2000 jobs directly and indirectly. Not only for scientists but also for practically trained technicians. To emphasize how important the telescope is for the economy, science, and society, the cabinet declared securing the telescope a national priority last November.

During the joint visit, Minister Dirk Beljaarts, Minister Mona Neubauer (Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia), Vice President and Minister Pierre-Yves Jeholet (Economic Affairs, Industry, and Employment of Wallonia), Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele (also responsible for Economy, Innovation and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Digitalization, and Facility Management), and Belgian Ambassador Anick Van Calster emphasized the importance of the Einstein Telescope for the region.

The Einstein Telescope is not a ‘normal’ telescope. It is an underground triangle of large tubes, in which laser beams are fired and then reflected back with mirrors. By measuring these beams very precisely, you can detect gravitational waves from space. This allows scientists to learn new things about our universe and to test Einsteins theory of relativity for the first time. Additionally, it brings technological and innovative business activity to the region. The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany are investigating whether they can host this world-class observatory. The border region of these three countries is an ideal location for this, due to its tranquility, stable ground, and strong ecosystem of knowledge institutions and high-tech companies. Various affiliated European countries are expected to decide in mid-2027 where the telescope will be built.