Fusion Power Plant gets initial approval on construction in Malaga

Helion, fusion energy facility site construction in Malaga, Oct. 15.

Helion, a Everett-based fusion energy company, Wednesday announced that it has been granted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from Chelan County to start the next phase of development of the world’s first commercial fusion power plant. This step in the regulatory process clears the way for permitting and construction of the fusion generator building of the company’s Orion fusion power plant, in Malaga, Washington, which will begin delivering electrons to the grid before the end of this decade.

“This is another important step toward a future of abundant, clean, safe, affordable energy,” said David Kirtley, Helion’s co-founder and CEO. “As a company of builders with a single-minded focus on making electricity from fusion commercially practical, we couldn’t be more excited to move into this next phase of construction for the Orion power plant.”

In 2023, Helion announced the world’s first power purchase agreement (PPA) to provide electricity from the plant to Microsoft by the end of 2028, with Constellation Energy serving as power marketer. Having now secured the Conditional Use Permit for the site, Helion remains on track to meet that goal.

Helion was granted a Conditional Use Permit for construction of a High Impact Utility Facility for the generation of power through fusion following a public notice and period of public comment and a subsequent decision by the Chelan County hearing examiner. In July 2025, Helion began construction of buildings to support the Orion fusion plant on land it is leasing from the Chelan County Public Utilities District (PUD), following a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) through Washington’s comprehensive environmental review process, SEPA. Throughout the process of identifying, leasing and permitting a site for its first commercial power plant, Helion has emphasized community engagement and relationship building, with extensive outreach with local and state stakeholders and Tribal Nations over the past two years.

“Early on in the permitting processes, Helion reached out to Chelan County in an effort to get a better understanding of our processes and gather feedback. I applaud their willingness to engage the community, to understand and address the questions and concerns, and their commitment to doing their homework, which aided Helion in getting to this important point in the permitting process. This speaks to the character of not only the individuals working for Helion, but also the entity as a whole,” said Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay, who represents the Malaga area. “Central Washington is known as the Buckle of the Power Belt for its foresight decades ago of bringing hydropower to the state. To be the home of fusion energy would enhance the legacy of our area as a continued leader in clean energy production.”

Helion’s approach of rapid iteration and testing has enabled the company to make steady progress toward a commercial fusion power plant. The company has built and tested seven fusion prototypes and was the first private fusion company to achieve 100 million degree Celsius plasma temperatures, which is generally considered the required operating temperature for commercial fusion feasibility.