![[helion-logo.svg|300]] Website: [helionenergy.com](https://www.helionenergy.com) ### Introduction Helion Energy, founded in 2013, is a pioneering company in the nuclear fusion sector, headquartered in Everett, Washington. The company was established by a team of innovators including David Kirtley, John Slough, Chris Pihl, and George Votroubek, with a mission to build the world's first commercially viable fusion power plant, delivering clean, safe, and abundant energy. Helion aims to revolutionize energy production by harnessing fusion, the process that powers the sun, to create zero-carbon electricity. While specific employee counts are not publicly available as of the latest data, the company has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting its ambitious goals and increasing investment. Helion Energy remains a private company, with no public ticker symbol, and has attracted substantial attention from investors and industry partners due to its innovative approach to fusion energy. Its focus on developing a practical and scalable fusion solution sets it apart in the clean energy landscape, positioning it as a potential game-changer in addressing global energy demands and climate change challenges. ### Key Products and Technology Helion is focused on a singular, groundbreaking technology for fusion energy production. Below is a detailed overview of their primary system: - **Name and Type**: Helion Fusion Generator (Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) Fusion Reactor) - **Technical Specifications**: Helion's design targets a power output of approximately 50 MWe per unit initially, with plans to scale to larger capacities such as 500 MWe for industrial applications. The system operates by compressing plasma to achieve fusion conditions, recovering energy directly as electricity, which offers potential efficiency advantages over traditional heat-to-electricity conversion methods. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Helion uses a deuterium-helium-3 (D-He3) fuel mix, which is safer and produces minimal radioactive waste compared to traditional nuclear fission or other fusion approaches using deuterium-tritium. Helium-3 is rare on Earth but can be produced within the reactor, and deuterium is abundant in seawater. - **Key Differentiators**: The FRC approach allows for a more compact reactor design compared to tokamak or stellarator systems, potentially reducing costs. Direct energy conversion bypasses the need for steam turbines, improving efficiency and simplifying infrastructure. Additionally, the D-He3 fuel cycle minimizes neutron production, enhancing safety and reducing long-term radioactive waste. - **Development Stage**: Helion is in the advanced prototype and pre-commercial stage. The company has built and tested multiple prototypes, with their latest, Polaris, demonstrating significant progress. Construction of their first commercial power plant, Orion, has begun in Malaga, Washington, as of mid-2025, targeting operational status by 2028. - **Target Customers**: Helion focuses on technology companies with high energy demands (e.g., Microsoft, their first announced customer), industrial manufacturers like steel producers (e.g., Nucor), and utilities seeking clean baseload power. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Helion Energy operates in a regulatory environment that is evolving to accommodate fusion energy, distinct from traditional nuclear fission. In May 2025, Washington State passed House Bill 1018, classifying fusion as a clean energy source and legally distinguishing it from fission, which enabled Helion to pursue local permitting for its Orion power plant site in Chelan County [World Nuclear News](https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/helion-begins-work-on-fusion-power-plant). This legislative milestone is a significant step forward, as it streamlines the approval process compared to the more stringent Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversight required for fission reactors. As fusion technology is relatively new, the NRC and other [[Federal|federal]] bodies are still developing specific frameworks for licensing commercial fusion plants. Helion is in a pre-application phase for federal regulatory engagement, working closely with state and local authorities for the Orion project. Key upcoming milestones include completing environmental assessments and securing final permits for construction and operation. The estimated timeline to first commercial deployment remains 2028, as announced by Helion, though some industry experts express skepticism about the feasibility of this ambitious target [MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/05/10/1072812/this-startup-says-its-first-fusion-plant-is-five-years-away-experts-doubt-it/). ### Team and Leadership Helion's leadership team combines expertise in physics, engineering, and business to drive its fusion ambitions. Key figures include: - **David Kirtley (CEO and Co-Founder)**: A physicist and engineer with a background in plasma physics, Kirtley leads Helion’s strategic vision and technical development. He has been instrumental in securing funding and partnerships. - **Chris Pihl (Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder)**: With extensive experience in fusion research, Pihl oversees the technological advancements and prototype testing at Helion. - **John Slough (Co-Founder and Chief Scientist)**: A professor and researcher in plasma physics, Slough contributes to the scientific foundation of Helion’s FRC technology. - **George Votroubek (Co-Founder)**: Votroubek supports the engineering and operational aspects of reactor development. Verified X handles for individual leaders are not widely publicized or confirmed in available data, so they are omitted here. The company’s official X account is [@Helion_Energy](https://x.com/Helion_Energy). ### Funding and Financial Position Helion Energy has raised significant capital to support its fusion research and commercialization efforts. As of the latest reported funding round on January 28, 2025, Helion secured $425 million in a Series F investment led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with participation from existing investors [Helion Energy](https://www.helionenergy.com/articles/helion-announces-425m-series-f-investment-to-scale-commercialized-fusion-power/). Historically, the company has amassed over $1 billion in total funding, including a notable $500 million Series E round in November 2021, with an additional $1.7 billion in milestone-tied commitments, led by Sam Altman of OpenAI fame [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helion_Energy). Early funding included grants from NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense, totaling $12 million between 2011 and 2013, alongside private investments. As a private company, Helion does not disclose detailed financials such as revenue or valuation in public filings. However, in 2021, it was valued at approximately $3 billion [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helion_Energy). Key backers include high-profile investors like Sam Altman and strategic partners interested in clean energy. Helion remains pre-revenue, with its focus on technology development and construction of the Orion plant, though it has secured offtake agreements with major clients like Microsoft. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Jul 31, 2025 | Orion Plant Construction Begins | Helion started initial earthwork and construction for the Orion power plant in Malaga, WA, to supply Microsoft [World Nuclear News](https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/helion-begins-work-on-fusion-power-plant). | | May, 2025 | Washington State [[Legislation]] | House Bill 1018 signed into law, classifying fusion as clean energy and easing local permitting [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helion_Energy). | | Jan 28, 2025 | Series F Funding Round | Helion raised $425 million to scale commercial fusion power, led by Lightspeed and SoftBank [Helion Energy](https://www.helionenergy.com/articles/helion-announces-425m-series-f-investment-to-scale-commercialized-fusion-power/). | | Sep 27, 2023 | Nucor Partnership Announcement | Collaboration with Nucor to deploy a 500 MWe fusion plant for steelmaking decarbonization [X Post](https://x.com/Helion_Energy/status/1707017724537569368). | | May 10, 2023 | Microsoft Deal Publicized | Microsoft confirmed as first customer for Helion’s fusion power, targeting 2028 delivery [MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/05/10/1072812/this-startup-says-its-first-fusion-plant-is-five-years-away-experts-doubt-it/). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations Helion has forged strategic partnerships to accelerate its path to commercialization: - **Microsoft**: As Helion’s first customer, Microsoft will purchase electricity from the Orion plant to power its data centers, aligning with its carbon-neutral goals. This offtake agreement validates Helion’s technology for high-energy-demand tech sectors. - **Nucor Corporation**: Announced in September 2023, this collaboration involves deploying a 500 MWe fusion power plant directly connected to a Nucor steelmaking facility, targeting decarbonization of heavy industry [@Helion_Energy](https://x.com/Helion_Energy/status/1707017724537569368). - **Government Support**: Early funding and grants from NASA, DOE, and DoD reflect governmental interest in fusion as a future energy source, though no current active programs are specified beyond historical support [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helion_Energy). These partnerships highlight Helion’s focus on industrial and technological applications, positioning it as a leader in fusion for both grid and specialized energy needs. ### New Hampshire Relevance Helion’s technology holds potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], though no direct connections or expressed interest in the state are documented in available data. New Hampshire’s energy infrastructure, including proximity to [[Seabrook Station]] (the state’s only nuclear power plant) and integration with the ISO New England grid, could support fusion deployment for baseload power or data center loads, sectors Helion already targets with clients like Microsoft. The state’s legislative initiatives, such as HB 710, which explores advanced nuclear options including SMRs, could align with fusion if regulatory frameworks expand to include it, though current provisions focus on fission technologies. Helion’s readiness for deployment by 2028, if achieved, could match New Hampshire’s timeline for seeking cleaner energy solutions to replace aging infrastructure or meet rising demand from industrial and tech sectors. Potential applications include grid power to supplement Seabrook or direct energy for data centers in the Northeast. However, challenges include the lack of fusion-specific regulatory pathways at the federal or state level and the distance from Helion’s current operational focus in Washington State. Without specific interest or pilot projects in the region, deployment in NH remains speculative at this stage. ### Competitive Position Helion competes in the nascent fusion energy market with other innovative startups, each pursuing distinct technological approaches. Compared to **[[Commonwealth Fusion Systems]] ([[Commonwealth Fusion Systems|CFS]])**, which focuses on tokamak reactors with high-temperature superconductors and aims for a pilot plant (SPARC) by the mid-2020s, Helion’s FRC design offers a more compact footprint and direct energy conversion, potentially reducing costs. However, CFS has a head start in prototype testing and partnerships with MIT. **[[TAE Technologies]]**, another competitor, also explores FRC but emphasizes aneutronic fusion with different fuel cycles; [[TAE Technologies|TAE]]’s recent $6 billion merger with Trump Media and Technology Group signals strong financial backing, potentially outpacing Helion’s timeline [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/18/trump-media-djt-tae-fusion-merger.html). Helion’s unique advantage lies in its D-He3 fuel choice for safety and waste reduction, though skepticism about its 2028 commercial target poses a risk compared to competitors with more conservative timelines. ### Closing Note Helion Energy is at a pivotal stage, transitioning from prototype testing to construction of its first commercial fusion plant with a promising yet ambitious outlook for 2028 deployment. *Report generated December 24, 2025*