Helion starts building Orion, the fusion plant it promised Microsoft

MALAGA, Wash., July 2025 — Helion began site work on Orion, which it calls the first fusion power plant, on land leased from the Chelan County PUD, aiming to deliver power to Microsoft by 2028. Here's what happened, what it cost, and what went wrong.

Cost and outcome (as of October 15, 2025)

Outcome: construction underway on buildings to support the Orion plant; a county permit in October 2025 cleared permitting of the fusion generator building. (Helion, July 2025; Helion, Oct. 2025)
Target: electricity to Microsoft "by the end of 2028," Helion's own goal. (Helion, Oct. 2025)
Cost: not disclosed by Helion.
Status: under construction, not generating. Helion's Polaris prototype "is expected to demonstrate" the first fusion electricity. (Helion, July 2025)

What started in July

Helion said the Chelan County site was chosen for ready access to transmission and its "legacy of energy innovation." Work began after Washington's SEPA environmental review ended in a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance. (Helion, July 2025)

"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," said David Kirtley, Helion's co-founder and CEO. (Helion, July 2025)

Microsoft's Melanie Nakagawa, its chief sustainability officer, said: "While the path to commercial fusion is still unfolding, we're proud to support Helion's pioneering work here in Washington state." (Helion, July 2025)

Helion said it engaged local and state agencies, Tribal Nations and the public from 2023 and would "continue to work through the remaining steps in the permitting process to construct and operate" a plant there. (Helion, July 2025)

Update: October 2025

Chelan County granted Helion a Conditional Use Permit for a "High Impact Utility Facility for the generation of power through fusion," after public notice, a comment period and a decision by the county hearing examiner. It clears the way for permitting and building the fusion generator building. (Helion, Oct. 2025)

"I applaud their willingness to engage the community, to understand and address the questions and concerns," said Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay, who represents the Malaga area. He noted that central Washington is known as "the Buckle of the Power Belt" for bringing hydropower to the state decades ago, and said being the home of fusion "would enhance the legacy of our area." (Helion, Oct. 2025)

Kirtley called the permit "another important step" and said the company was excited "to move into this next phase of construction for the Orion power plant." (Helion, Oct. 2025)

Helion said it "remains on track" for the 2028 Microsoft goal and that Orion will begin "delivering electrons to the grid before the end of this decade." (Helion, Oct. 2025)

Where the technology stands

Helion says it has built and tested seven fusion prototypes. It says its earlier Trenta prototype made it the first private company to reach a fuel temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius, which it says is generally considered the operating temperature a commercial plant needs. (Helion, July 2025; Helion, Oct. 2025)

Its seventh-generation prototype, Polaris, is the one Helion expects to demonstrate electricity from fusion. Neither release says that has happened. (Helion, July 2025)

What went wrong

No fusion electricity yet. Helion is building a power plant before its prototype has shown fusion electricity. (Helion, July 2025)
Permits are still in progress. The October permit covers the next phase; Helion said more permitting steps remained to build and operate. (Helion, July 2025; Helion, Oct. 2025)
All claims are Helion's. The 2028 target and the temperature record come from the company; this piece has no independent check.
What we don't know yet: Orion's cost, its planned output, and Microsoft's terms if 2028 slips.

Our follow-up question for Helion

Has Polaris produced electricity from fusion yet, and what happens under the Microsoft agreement if Orion misses 2028?

Sources

Helion, “Helion Secures Land and Begins Building on the Site of World's First Fusion Power Plant,” July 30, 2025 (page header shows July 22, 2025). helionenergy.com
Helion, “Helion Receives Approvals for Next Phase of Construction of World's First Commercial Fusion Power Plant,” Oct. 15, 2025. helionenergy.com

Disclosure: [not in copy] Editor placeholder