Helion Energy, a startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has officially broken ground on what is set to become the world’s first commercial fusion power plant. The facility is being built in Malaga, Washington, and is expected to start supplying clean energy to Microsoft data centers by 2028.
The energy purchase agreement with Microsoft is one of the clearest signals yet that nuclear fusion is shifting from an experimental concept to a practical solution with real-world infrastructure. If successful, it could mark a turning point in the global energy landscape.
Why Fusion and Why Now?
Unlike conventional nuclear power, which relies on splitting atoms, fusion works by fusing them. The process generates no carbon emissions, carries no risk of reactor meltdown, and produces only minimal waste. Long considered a theoretical ideal, fusion is now moving toward viability. Helion’s Polaris reactor is designed to generate electricity at industrial scale without relying on turbines or steam.
If it succeeds, the technology could power not only data centers, but also the soaring computational demands of artificial intelligence.
Altman’s Long-Term Bet on the Physical World
Sam Altman has backed Helion since 2014 years before OpenAI and ChatGPT became household names in the tech world. His involvement reflects a broader trend among tech leaders who are turning their attention from software to real-world challenges: energy, infrastructure, and sustainability.
With AI consuming massive amounts of electricity from training large language models to handling everyday search queries clean energy is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
A High-Stakes Experiment
Helion’s goal is ambitious: to achieve net energy gain where the reactor generates more power than it uses by 2028. Reaching that milestone would be a landmark achievement, both scientifically and commercially.
Skepticism remains, but Microsoft’s commitment signals serious confidence. The company plans to integrate Helion’s power into its infrastructure, helping meet its broader goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030.
If the project delivers, Helion could pioneer a new class of energy: scalable, reliable, and purpose-built for the AI era.
Energy for the AI Future
Sam Altman isn’t just building artificial intelligence he’s laying the groundwork for the energy systems that will support it.
Fusion power is a long-term bet. Even if Helion misses its deadlines, the very act of starting construction suggests a shift in Silicon Valley’s priorities: from investing solely in digital dreams to engaging with the physical foundations needed to sustain them.
