Helion has officially begun construction of its Orion fusion power plant in Chelan County, Washington, marking a major milestone in commercial fusion development.
The plant supports Helion’s 2023 agreement to supply electricity to Microsoft by 2028, with Constellation Energy acting as the power marketer.
The project is advancing through Washington’s SEPA permitting process, with ongoing collaboration across local, state, and tribal stakeholders.
Helion, a Washington-based fusion energy company, has started development on the site of its first fusion power plant, Orion, a move that positions it at the forefront of commercial fusion energy.
Located in Chelan County, Washington, the Orion site was selected for its strong energy infrastructure and access to transmission lines. The construction milestone keeps Helion on track to deliver electricity to Microsoft by 2028 under the world’s first fusion energy power purchase agreement (PPA), announced in 2023. Constellation Energy will serve as the power marketer.
“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.”
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Microsoft echoed the significance of the project. “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’s build-out in Malaga, Washington, is on land leased from the Chelan County Public Utilities District. The project has advanced under a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) issued through Washington’s State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. Since 2023, Helion has engaged closely with local and state government agencies, Tribal Nations, and the public to navigate siting and permitting requirements.
The company will continue working through the remaining regulatory steps required to construct and operate what could become the world’s first commercial fusion power plant.
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