It's a first of its kind, site prep has begun on a new energy project in Chelan County

Helion, an Everett-based company, begins site preparation in Malaga for its first fusion energy power plant. Photo courtesy: Helion.

Helion, an Everett-based fusion energy company, announced Wednesday 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 on Chelan PUD property in Malaga, 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 (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.”

"The is a very exciting venture to be the birthplace of fusion energy," Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay said upon the Helion announcement. "It actually opens up a lot of opportunities. The two permits that have been issued for a 6,200 sq. ft. office space. The other one is about a 26,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. I know that they (Helion) have applied for a conditional use permit also for the power generation itself."

"It provides the potential for job opportunities, it provides the potential for us to supplement hydropower which actually opens up a lot more economic development opportunity," Overbay exclaimed.

Helion spokeswoman Jessie Barton said during construction as many as 130 workers will be employed and as the plant begins operations, between 30 and 50 employees will be needed to operate the plant.

"We're certainly excited to hire as many local community members as we can," said Barton.

Helion began building in Malaga 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.

Helion’s approach of rapid iteration and testing has enabled the company to make steady progress toward a commercial fusion machine. Its 7th-generation prototype, Polaris, is expected to demonstrate the first electricity produced from fusion. With its previous prototype, Trenta, Helion was the first private company to achieve a fuel temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, which is generally considered the required operating temperature for a commercial fusion power plant.

Helion, a Washington State-based fusion energy producing company, stakes claim to land in Malaga for first-ever fusion power plant.