Fusion energy took a bold step toward commercialisation this week as Helion Energy broke ground on Orion, the world’s first commercial fusion power plant.
Backed by a historic energy deal with Microsoft, the project is expected to deliver fusion-generated electricity to the grid by 2028 – potentially making Helion the first company in history to achieve that feat.
The construction launch marks a major leap forward in the global race to develop fusion as a clean, virtually limitless power source. If successful, Helion’s plant won’t just power servers, it could help power the future.
What is fusion energy?
Fusion energy is the power generated when two light atomic nuclei merge to form a single, heavier nucleus – a process that releases an immense amount of energy.
It’s the same reaction that fuels the Sun and other stars, producing light and heat through the fusion of hydrogen atoms under extreme pressure and temperature.
Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms and produces long-lived radioactive waste, fusion produces minimal short-term waste and carries no risk of meltdown.
Its fuel sources – typically isotopes of hydrogen such as deuterium and tritium – are abundant, found in seawater and lithium, and offer a virtually limitless supply of clean energy.
To achieve fusion on Earth, reactors must recreate the conditions found in the core of a star: temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius and sufficient pressure to force nuclei to overcome their natural repulsion.
This makes fusion one of the most scientifically challenging energy technologies, requiring advanced materials and precise control systems.
The ultimate promise of fusion energy lies in its potential to provide safe, carbon-free, and high-output power with minimal environmental impact.
Once commercialised, it could transform the global energy landscape and play a pivotal role in combating climate change.
A legacy of innovation along the Columbia River
Helion’s Orion site is located in Malaga, Washington, near the Columbia River – an area known for its deep ties to renewable energy, particularly hydroelectricity.
The company is leasing the land from the Chelan County Public Utility District and chose the site for its proximity to existing transmission infrastructure, once used to support the nearby Rock Island Dam.
Helion received a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) through the state’s environmental review process (SEPA), clearing the way for site preparation while final permits are still pending.
The company has also been in ongoing discussions with local agencies, Tribal Nations, and community stakeholders to ensure a responsible and inclusive development process.
Laying the groundwork for a fusion-powered grid
Helion’s ultimate goal is to produce grid-scale electricity from fusion, and the Orion plant is a critical step in that journey. Construction work now underway positions the company to meet its target of delivering electricity to Microsoft by 2028.
That target stems from a 2023 power purchase agreement (PPA) between Helion, Microsoft, and Constellation Energy – the first-ever contract to buy electricity from a fusion power plant.
If successful, this will mark the first time fusion electricity is delivered to a paying customer, cementing Helion’s role as a leader in commercial fusion energy.
From prototype to power plant
Helion’s development model is built around rapid prototyping and iteration. The company has developed six generations of fusion machines so far, with the seventh, Polaris, expected to be the first to generate usable electricity.
Its predecessor, Trenta, reached the crucial milestone of heating fusion fuel to 100 million degrees Celsius, a temperature widely considered essential for commercial fusion.
As work begins at the Orion site, Helion is building the foundation for a future powered by limitless, carbon-free energy.
The company’s progress could redefine global energy markets and provide a scalable solution to climate change, energy security, and industrial demand.
If successful, Helion’s fusion power plant will not only supply electricity to tech giants like Microsoft, but it will also prove that fusion’s long-promised potential can finally be realised.
