U.S.-based Helion Energy has officially broken ground on its first fusion power plant, located in Malaga, Chelan County, Washington. The project, named Orion, marks a key step towards the incorporation of clean, zero-emission electricity emissions-free electricity into the grid using fusion technology.
A strategic location for the fusion power plant
The site was selected for its proximity to electric transmission infrastructure and its history of energy innovation. Helion leases the land from the Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD), and groundbreaking occurred after obtaining a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) under the state’s SEPA environmental process.
In 2023, Helion signed the first merger power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft, with a commitment to supply electricity in 2028. The marketer will be Constellation Energy. This partnership positions Microsoft as a key player in driving sustainable energy for its data centers. data centers.
Helion stands out for its rapid iteration and testing model. Its current prototype, Polaris, seeks to generate electricity from fusion. The previous version, Trentareached 100 million degrees Celsius, considered the operational threshold for a commercial fusion plant.
Collaboration with local and state stakeholders
Since the upstream phase, Helion has been in active dialogue with communities, tribal governments and regulatory agencies to ensure a responsible implementation. The permitting process is still ongoing, but with construction now underway, the company is moving toward commercial operation of its plant.
With the backing of investors such as Sam Altman (OpenAI) and SoftBank, plus a focus on zero-carbon electricity generation carbon-free electricity generationHelion aims to be the first company to connect fusion to the grid. If it succeeds in delivering power to Microsoft in 2028, it will set a precedent for the entire industry.
The Orion plant could redefine the future of clean energy if Helion reaches its target on schedule.
Source and photo: Helion Energy
