Helion Energy

United States · Everett / Malaga, WAFounded 2013Plant developerFF002

Subscale demonstrated and larger machine under construction

Data confidence: High

Overview

Confinement: FRC (pulsed)
Read the 101 on Field-reversed configuration
Fuel cycle: D-He3
Development stage: FOAK plant construction
Key milestone: Polaris: 150M C plasma + first measurable D-T fusion, Feb 2026
Target first commercial power: 2028
Notes: Direct energy conversion (no steam cycle) — most aggressive commercial timeline in the sector.

Design net power: 50 MWMWe (Orion, design target)
Reactor island volume: PENDING
Time-averaged power density: —pending volume
Evidence grade: E2
Grade rationale: Subscale prototype (Polaris) has demonstrated D-T fusion and plasma milestones; Orion (design-relevant scale) is under construction but not yet operating.

Flagship site: Orion plant, Malaga, WA
Siting status: Named site; under construction
Offtake / PPA: Microsoft 50MW PPA (2023); Nucor 500MW energy development agreement

The metric set that maps onto ex-battery sites. Pending cells are open questions for the company.

As of: August 9, 2026Low
Footprint (ha, FOAK): PENDING
Cooling type: PENDING (direct conversion may reduce cooling water need vs thermal plants)
Grid connection class: Distribution-to-transmission (Malaga, WA — near Microsoft data centre load)
Startup import load: PENDING
Conversion type: Direct energy conversion (no steam cycle)
Ramp capability: PENDING
Notes: Direct conversion is the single biggest differentiator vs thermal designs for Grid Fit — verify with company.

As listed in the Phase-0 Master Index; URLs to be added during right-of-reply.

As of: August 9, 2026