Construction Commences on First Fusion Power Facility, Providing Energy to Microsoft
In a significant step towards a sustainable energy future, Helion, a fusion energy company founded in 2013, has begun construction on its first fusion power plant, Orion. This groundbreaking facility, located in Chelan County, Washington, is expected to start supplying carbon-free energy to Microsoft by 2028.
Microsoft signed a power purchase agreement with Helion in 2023, marking the beginning of a partnership aimed at powering the tech giant's data centers with clean fusion energy. The agreement aligns with Microsoft's commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, as it strives to be carbon negative by 2030 and match 100% of its electricity consumption with zero-carbon sources.
Orion will generate 50 megawatts of power, a significant contribution towards Microsoft's ambitious goals. The construction, which began in July 2025, is progressing on schedule, with Helion maintaining a steady pace to meet this ambitious timeline.
Fusion energy, a potential source of abundant, zero-carbon power, is achieved by combining two atoms to release energy. Despite the challenges associated with creating extremely high temperatures and pressure, Helion is preparing fusion technology for commercialization, bringing it one step closer to producing electricity for the grid.
Helion's seventh-generation prototype, Polaris, is expected to demonstrate the first electricity produced from fusion. The company made history in the past with its prior prototype, Trenta, becoming the first private company to reach a fuel temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius.
The fusion industry and Helion are making strides towards a new era of energy independence and industrial renewal. Melanie Nakagawa, CSO and CVP of Energy, Connectivity, and Sustainability at Microsoft, has expressed her support for Helion's fusion work in Washington state as part of Microsoft's investment in sustainable energy.
It's worth noting that unlike fossil fuels and nuclear fission, fusion does not emit carbon and does not generate highly radioactive waste. This makes it a promising solution for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
David Kirtley, Co-Founder and CEO of Helion, made a statement regarding the project, emphasizing the importance of the day for both Helion and the fusion industry. The new plant, which will be marketed by Constellation Energy, will be a significant milestone in Helion's goal to build the world's first fusion power plant.
As we move towards a more sustainable future, the construction of Orion represents a significant step forward in the quest for clean, abundant, and zero-carbon energy.
- The partnership between Microsoft and Helion, initiated by a power purchase agreement in 2023, is rooted in Microsoft's commitment to environmental science, aiming to power its data centers with clean fusion energy.
- Helion's fusion technology, currently under development, is a prime example of how science and technology can contribute to climate-change solutions, as it promises abundant, zero-carbon power for businesses like Microsoft.
- In the realm of finance and business, the successful construction and operation of Orion, a fusion power plant, signifies a promising investment in a sustainable energy future, aligning with Microsoft's goal of being carbon negative by 2030.
