New Atlas: Helion Energy aims to light up future with first-ever fusion reactor

In a recent article, New Atlas highlights that Helion Energy company is inching closer to a groundbreaking achievement in the world of clean energy, as it moves forward with plans to build the world’s first fusion reactor capable of generating usable electricity.

Energy company Helion is making significant strides toward its goal of launching the world's first fusion reactor capable of generating usable electricity. The company is considering a site in Malaga, Washington, for a 50-MW facility that could power Microsoft's data centres.

At a press conference, Helion unveiled its plans to lease land in Malaga, a location in Chelan County, near the Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River. The property is owned by the Chelan County Public Utility District. Although the company has not finalized the lease agreement or secured the necessary permits, Helion is planning a community event in Malaga next month. 

At this event, Malaga residents will be able to hear directly from Helion’s founder, David Kirtley, and senior employees about the project’s details. If the project moves forward, Helion will need to submit an environmental impact report—a step that will need to be completed promptly if the company hopes to begin construction this summer. Helion recently raised $425 million in a Series F funding round, boosting its total funding to more than $1 billion. 

The latest investment is designed to help Helion accelerate its plans for a commercial fusion power plant. The company’s seventh fusion reactor prototype, Polaris, is currently undergoing testing at a 27,000-square-foot facility. Polaris is intended to demonstrate that Helion’s fusion system can produce usable electricity, a key milestone for the company. Helion faces stiff competition from other companies working toward developing functioning fusion reactors. 

One of the main hurdles is sustaining a fusion reaction long enough to produce more power than the energy required to initiate the reaction. Recently, China set a new record by sustaining a fusion reaction for 1,066 seconds in January. The WEST Tokamak in France surpassed this by maintaining a reaction for 1,337 seconds earlier this month. With ambitious plans and competition intensifying, Helion’s next steps could mark a significant breakthrough in the race to harness fusion energy for practical use.

By Naila Huseynova