Helion sichert Land und beginnt auf dem Gelände des weltweit ersten Fusion -Kraftwerks zu bauen – im Jahr 2023 kündigte Helion das weltweit erste Stromabnahmevertrag (PPA) an, das bis 2028 Energie von der Anlage zu Microsoft liefert, wobei die Konstellationsenergie als Stromvermarkter dient.
Helion Secures Land and Begins Building on the Site of World’s First Fusion Power Plant
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From the article
Helion, a Washington-based fusion energy company, today announced that it has begun work on the site of its first fusion power plant, Orion, marking a major step in bringing fusion electricity to the grid. Located in Chelan County, Washington, the site was chosen for its ready access to transmission and legacy of energy innovation.
In 2023, Helion [announced the world’s first power purchase agreement](https://www.helionenergy.com/articles/helion-announces-worlds-first-fusion-ppa-with-microsoft/) (PPA) that will provide energy from the plant to Microsoft by 2028, with Constellation Energy serving as power marketer. With site work now underway, Helion remains on track to meet that goal.
“Today is an important day – not just for Helion, but for the entire fusion industry – as we unleash a new era of energy independence and industrial renewal,” said David Kirtley, Helion’s co-founder and CEO. “Since we founded the company, we have been completely focused on preparing fusion technology for commercialization and getting electrons on the grid. Starting site work brings us one step closer to that vision.”
“Fusion represents an inspiring frontier in the world’s pursuit of clean and abundant power,” said Melanie Nakagawa, CSO & CVP Energy, Connectivity, and Sustainability at Microsoft. “While the path to commercial fusion is still unfolding, we’re proud to support Helion’s pioneering work here in Washington state as part of our broader commitment to investing in sustainable energy.”
Helion began building in Malaga, Washington, on land it is leasing from the Chelan County Public Utilities District (PUD). This followed a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) through Washington’s comprehensive environmental review process, SEPA. Since 2023, Helion has been actively engaging with local and state stakeholders – including government agencies, Tribal Nations, and the general public – in preparation for a siting and permitting decision. Helion will continue to work through the remaining steps in the permitting process to construct and operate a commercial fusion power plant on the site.
They claim to provide fusion power electricity in 3 years commercially? And Microsoft even believes them and pays? I have no words.
I know this is all PR, but Helion’s approach is my favourite so far, as it can capture power directly from the reaction (so no steam turbines are needed) and it can breed its own fuel IIRC (citation needed).
All that said, it remains to be seen if this approach will actually work at scale. I hope so, but its Fusion so who knows