Helion Energy

“Microsoft has agreed to purchase electricity from Helion's first fusion power plant, scheduled for deployment in 2028: the plant "is expected to be online by 2028 and will target power generation of 50 MW or greater after a 1-year ramp up period."”

Helion EnergyCEO

Fusion startup led by co-founder and CEO David Kirtley; chaired and backed by Sam Altman

Site work on Orion in Chelan County, Washington began in July 2025 and Helion reaffirmed the 2028 date, but in 2026 the company removed the "producing electricity by 2028" language from its website in favor of "begin initial operations in 2028," and a Helion executive conceded at the 2026 FusionX conference that 50 MW full operation will not happen in 2028 (Axios Pro, 8 Sept 2026). Formally unresolved until the end of 2028.

“Helion remains on track to become the first fusion company in the world to generate electricity from its Polaris test reactor later in 2025: 'Early testing has been encouraging, and they expect to demonstrate electricity this year.'”

Helion EnergyCEO

Fusion energy startup (CEO David Kirtley); Microsoft's contracted fusion power supplier

No electricity demonstration was announced by the end of 2025. Polaris' announced milestones in February 2026 were measurable D-T fusion and 150 million °C plasmas, and by September 2026 Helion had softened its language and hedged on when it would sell fusion electricity.