Abstract: An apparatus for converting chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy includes a plurality of high-temperature fuel cells, which extend parallel to each other, with each fuel cell having an oxygen electrode comprising SrO-doped Mn oxides and having a Cr surface layer, and fuel electrodes comprising Ni/ZrO.sub.2 cermet and having Ni surface layers, a separating plate constructed as a hollow body for guiding, distributing and collecting gaseous media, and a highly elastic constructional element in the form of a gas-permeable intermediate layer, which acts as a high-temperature spring between the separating plate and the current collectors.