Helion Energy is a fusion energy company based in Everett, Washington. In May 2023, Helion Energy announced a groundbreaking deal with Microsoft, marking the world’s first commercial agreement for fusion energy. Helion has announced plans to construct the world’s first fusion power plant in Malaga, Washington.
     The company is working on developing a fifty-megawatt fusion power plant on land owned by the Chelan Public Utility District (PUD) near Rock Island Dam, along the Chelan County side of the Columbia River. The site has not been officially finalized yet, but discussions are progressing. The company plans to increase engagement with the community for this pioneering project.
     The announcement of negotiations was made during a joint press conference at the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee, Washington. The public event included presentations by Helion Communications Director Jessie Barton, Chelan PUD’s Kirk Hudson, Chelan County Community Development Director Deanna Walter, and Jim Kuntz of the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority. The panelists discussed their respective agencies’ roles in exploring the potential for carbon-free energy sources in Chelan County.
     Jessie Barton said, “We’re looking at developing a 50-megawatt fusion power plant on PUD-owned land, near Rock Island Dam, on the Chelan side of the Columbia River. Now, this isn’t an official site selection at this point, but we are at the point where we’re ready to bring in more community members and have a larger conversation about this potential project.”
     A community event is planned for March 11th at the Mission View Elementary School, where additional details about the project will be made public. The company has set an ambitious timeline. It aims to begin construction this summer if the permitting process proceeds without delays, to generate fusion energy by 2028.
     From Chelan PUD’s perspective, this project is a critical component of a broader strategy to meet future energy demands and expand beyond hydropower, which has traditionally been the region’s primary energy source.  Kirk Hudson said, “We have all of our eggs in one basket with hydropower, which has served us very well, but the future is going to be much different than the past has been.”
     Initially, the fusion power produced will support the purchase agreement with Microsoft. There are long-term plans to make this clean energy accessible to local customers. The Chelan PUD remains optimistic about the project’s growth and success, aiming for its benefits to extend to residents of Chelan County and the broader north-central Washington region. Formal discussions regarding agreements with Helion, including potential lease terms, will take place once the company is ready to begin construction.
     Helion Energy expects to hire approximately one hundred and thirty workers during the initial construction phase, with around thirty staff needed for ongoing plant operations once the facility is complete.
     Under the agreement with Microsoft, Helion intends to provide Microsoft with electricity generated from its fusion power plant by 2028. The deal shows confidence in Helion’s advanced fusion technology and its potential to deliver a reliable, carbon-free energy source.
     This partnership aligns with Microsoft’s sustainability goals. It aims to secure clean energy for its operations. Helion’s progress has been further enhanced by significant funding, including a major investment in January 2025, to accelerate the development and deployment of fusion energy technology.
      With the planned fusion power plant in Malaga, Washington, Helion is making significant progress toward making fusion energy a reality, reinforcing its commitment to revolutionizing the energy landscape by 2028.

Helion Energy