Washington-based fusion energy company Helion Energy has commenced construction on Orion, nation’s first commercial nuclear fusion power plant, cementing the state’s status as a clean energy innovation hub. The facility will be located in Chelan County, Washington. The site was selected due to its proximity to existing power transmission infrastructure and its decades-long legacy of energy innovation.
The revolutionary construction follows Helion’s record-breaking power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft in 2023. Under the agreement, Helion will supply at least 50 megawatts of power from the Orion plant to Microsoft by 2028. Constellation Energy will serve as the project’s power marketer and will be tasked with feeding electricity into the grid.
“Today is a momentous day – not just for Helion, but for the entire fusion industry – as we unlock a new era of energy independence and industrial rebirth,” stated David Kirtley, Helion’s CEO and co-founder. “We have been singularly focused since the company was established on getting fusion technology ready for commercialization and putting electrons on the grid. Starting site work brings us one step closer to that dream.”
Microsoft also emphasized the importance of the collaboration in driving sustainable energy innovation. “Fusion represents an inspiring frontier in the world’s pursuit of clean and abundant power,” said Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer and Corporate Vice President for 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.”
Land Lease
The Orion Nuclear fusion power plant is being built in Malaga, Washington, on 20 acres leased from the Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD). The project underwent a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) prior to construction. Helion has been engaging actively with state and local stakeholders—government agencies, Tribal Nations, and the community—since 2023 as part of its transparent planning and permitting process. That engagement will continue throughout construction.
Capacity
The plant is designed to provide 50 megawatts of power with the potential to scale to 100 megawatts in later stages. The first phase includes breaking ground and foundation work, followed by the installation of Helion’s proprietary fusion technologies. Once online, the Orion facility will connect into Washington’s primary power grid, delivering electricity upstream of Microsoft’s data centers.
Helion’s fusion method relies on rapid prototyping and internal innovation. Its seventh-generation prototype, Polaris, is expected to be the first to directly produce electricity from fusion. An earlier prototype, Trenta, was the first privately built fusion device to reach a fuel temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius—a milestone critical to enabling net energy production.
Orion is the first United States fusion power plant to break ground, a record in the commercialization of fusion energy.
Read also: Microsoft Invests in AtmosClear’s Carbon Capture Facility in Louisiana with World’s Largest Deal
Funding
The project has robust private funding backing. In January 2025, Helion raised $425 million in Series F funding from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 as the lead, bringing its total funding to over $1 billion. That followed a $500 million Series E in 2021 led by Sam Altman and joined by Mithril Capital, Capricorn Investment Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Dustin Moskovitz, and steelmaker Nucor. An additional $1.7 billion in capital has been committed pending future technical milestones.
With construction underway and grid delivery targeted for 2028, Helion remains on track to deliver fusion power to a commercial customer for the first time. As the project breaks ground in Washington, it represents a broader step toward unleashing fusion’s long-awaited potential to supply sustainable, high-yield energy for a carbon-free future.
Read also: Microsoft forced to Delay Major US$1 billion Data Center Expansion in Ohio
Orion Nuclear Fusion Power Plant in Washington – Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Developer: Helion Energy
Status: Under Construction (First U.S. commercial fusion plant to break ground)
Target Commercial Operation: 2028
Location & Site Details
Location: Malaga, Washington (Chelan County)
Site Area: 20 acres
Land Arrangement: Leased from Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD)
Site Selection Rationale: Proximity to existing power transmission infrastructure and regional energy innovation legacy
Technical Specifications
Initial Capacity: 50 megawatts
Future Expansion Potential: 100 megawatts
Technology: Proprietary fusion technology with rapid prototyping approach
Grid Connection: Washington’s primary power grid
Commercial Agreement
Primary Customer: Microsoft Corporation
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Minimum 50 MW delivery by 2028
Power Marketer: Constellation Energy
Agreement Date: 2023
Read also: Construction to begin on first SMR at Darlington Nuclear Site, Ontario
