Helion Secures Licenses to Build First Fusion Power Plant in Washington

Helion Energy has received crucial regulatory approvals from the Washington Department of Health (DOH) to begin building the world’s first fusion energy power plant. The company was granted a Radioactive Materials License (RML) and a Radioactive Air Emissions License (RAEL), authorizing construction of the generator building at the Malaga site.

Fusion energy offers a potential solution to global energy demands without carbon emissions. It harnesses the same chemical reaction that powers the Sun, generating energy by fusing simpler atoms such as hydrogen and its isotopes.

Unlike nuclear fission, fusion does not produce large quantities of radioactive waste requiring long-term storage. Additionally, fusion plants can operate on demand, unlike intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, which often require supplementary energy storage investments.

Commercializing Nuclear Fusion

Despite its advantages, nuclear fusion has yet to become commercially viable because fusion reactors have not consistently produced more energy than they consume. Helion Energy, based in Washington state, is optimistic about achieving this milestone soon.

The company has not yet published peer-reviewed research detailing its reactor’s operation but is moving forward with constructing a fusion reactor intended for commercial deployment. Helion also has an agreement with Microsoft to supply 50 megawatts of power to a data center by 2028.

The fusion facility, named Orion, is under construction in Malaga, Washington. It is the first fusion plant worldwide to secure regulatory licenses for construction. While the assembly and office buildings are complete, the recent DOH license approvals allow Helion to commence building the reactor itself.

Why Is NRC Not Involved?

Typically, nuclear energy projects seek approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). However, the NRC regulates nuclear fusion under the byproduct material framework, categorizing it alongside particle accelerators and hospitals rather than nuclear reactors.

This classification is not solely an NRC decision but was also codified by the US Congress in the ADVANCE Act of 2024, reflecting fusion’s distinct safety profile compared to fission and its unique regulatory path.

The issuance of the RML and RAEL licenses by the Washington DOH signifies a major achievement for Helion, confirming that its facilities, personnel, and safety programs at the Malaga site meet the required safety standards for a fusion facility.

David Kirtley, CEO of Helion Energy, stated in a press release, “We are extremely proud to be granted these licenses from the Washington DOH, making us the first company in the world with the regulatory approvals in place for fusion power plant operations.”

He added, “We have a long history of working with the DOH to license our previous fusion activities. Today’s announcement represents the rigor of that work and opens the door for practical, commercial, safe fusion power.”

Beyond construction approvals, Helion has secured a transmission interconnection agreement with Chelan County Public Utility District. This agreement will enable the fusion power plant’s energy to be supplied to the electrical grid, marking another global first.

The key question now is whether Helion will meet its goal to power Microsoft’s data center with fusion energy by 2028.