Helion Energy announced last week that it has broken ground on the site of its first commercial fusion power plant, beginning initial earthwork and construction. The facility, dubbed Orion, will be located in Chelan County near the Columbia River and the town of Malaga.
“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.”
In 2023, Helion announced the world’s first power purchase agreement (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. Since then, 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.
Previous Helion Energy article here: Fusion in Washington- Companies Have Big Plans | Center of Excellence for Clean Energy
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