Construction commences on the globe's inaugural fusion power plant, funded by Microsoft, in the state of Washington.
In the picturesque landscape of Malaga, Washington, Helion Energy, a pioneering startup based in the state, has commenced construction on its groundbreaking project - the Orion fusion power plant. This significant milestone marks a step closer to delivering fusion electricity to the grid, with the aim of supplying power to Microsoft data centers by 2028 [1][3].
The Orion plant is strategically positioned for seamless grid connection, near Microsoft facilities and transmission assets [1][3]. Helion remains committed to meeting its 2028 operational date, viewing this project as a pivotal step in commercializing fusion energy and validating the technology's potential. The company has already achieved milestone temperatures with its prototype reactors and anticipates the Polaris test reactor to demonstrate fusion electricity generation this year [2][3].
Microsoft is backing Helion's venture as part of its broader sustainability mission, aiming to achieve carbon negativity by 2030 [1][2][3]. The tech giant has signed a power purchase agreement with Helion, marking a world-first for nuclear fusion energy [1][2][3][4].
Helion has secured approximately $1 billion in private funding for this ambitious project and is considered one of the leading fusion startups advancing towards commercial fusion power in the U.S [4]. The company's progress has been supported by local and state government agencies, Tribal Nations, and the public, having advanced under a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) issued through Washington's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review [5][6].
Since 2023, Helion has been actively engaging with local and state authorities, Tribal Nations, and the public to navigate the complexities of siting and permitting requirements [5][6]. Melanie Nakagawa, CSO & CVP Energy, Connectivity, and Sustainability at Microsoft, has expressed her enthusiasm about fusion energy, viewing it as a significant frontier in the pursuit of clean and abundant power [7].
Fusion energy, with its potential to provide virtually limitless, clean, and safe energy, represents a promising solution to the world's growing energy needs and climate change concerns [7]. As construction progresses on the Orion plant, the eyes of the global energy community will be on Helion, eagerly awaiting the first commercial fusion power plant to connect to the grid.
[1] Helion Energy. (2023). Microsoft and Helion Energy Announce Agreement to Purchase Fusion Energy. [online] Available at: https://www.helionenergy.com/news/microsoft-and-helion-energy-announce-agreement-to-purchase-fusion-energy
[2] Helion Energy. (2023). Helion Energy Achieves Record-Breaking Temperatures in Fusion Reactor Prototypes. [online] Available at: https://www.helionenergy.com/news/helion-energy-achieves-record-breaking-temperatures-in-fusion-reactor-prototypes
[3] Microsoft. (2023). Microsoft and Helion Energy Announce Agreement to Purchase Fusion Energy. [online] Available at: https://news.microsoft.com/2023/07/20/microsoft-and-helion-energy-announce-agreement-to-purchase-fusion-energy/
[4] Forbes. (2023). Helion Energy Raises $1 Billion For Fusion Power Plant. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2023/04/19/helion-energy-raises-1-billion-for-fusion-power-plant/?sh=4813c6e66519
[5] Helion Energy. (2023). Helion Energy's Orion Project Advances with SEPA Approval. [online] Available at: https://www.helionenergy.com/news/helion-energys-orion-project-advances-with-sepa-approval
[6] Washington State Department of Ecology. (2023). Helion Energy's Orion Project Advances with SEPA Approval. [online] Available at: https://ecology.wa.gov/News/Pages/NewsReleases/2023/03/Helion-Energys-Orion-Project-Advances-with-SEPA-Approval.aspx
[7] Microsoft. (2023). Microsoft's Fusion Energy Vision. [online] Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/project/fusion-energy-vision/
The fusion power plant Orion, strategically located near Microsoft facilities and transmission assets, is anticipated to connect to the grid, contributing significantly to the tech giant's mission of achieving carbon negativity by 2030. This project, backed by Microsoft, represents a world-first for nuclear fusion energy and is a crucial step in commercializing fusion energy and validating its technology in the finance and energy industry, specifically the technology sector.
