Helion, a Washington State-based fusion energy company, recently announced that it has been granted a Conditional Use Permit from Chelan County, Washington, to start the next phase of development of the world’s first commercial fusion power plant.
This step in the regulatory process clears the way for permitting and construction of the fusion generator building of the company’s Orion fusion power plant, in Malaga, WA, which will begin delivering electrons to the grid before the end of this decade.
In 2023, Helion announced the world’s first power purchase agreement (PPA) to provide electricity from the plant to Microsoft by the end of 2028, with Constellation Energy serving as power marketer.
Having now secured the Conditional Use Permit for the site, Helion remains on track to meet that goal.
Helion was granted a Conditional Use Permit for construction of a High Impact Utility Facility for the generation of power through fusion following a public notice, period of public comment, and a subsequent decision by the Chelan County hearing examiner.
In July 2025, Helion began construction of buildings to support the Orion fusion plant on land it is leasing from the Chelan County Public Utilities District (PUD), following a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) through Washington’s comprehensive environmental review process, SEPA.
Throughout the process of identifying, leasing, and permitting a site for its first commercial power plant, Helion has emphasized community engagement and relationship building, with extensive outreach with local and state stakeholders and Tribal Nations over the past two years.
Helion said its approach of rapid iteration and testing has enabled the company to make steady progress toward a commercial fusion power plant. The company has built and tested seven fusion prototypes and was the first private fusion company to achieve 100 million degree Celsius plasma temperatures, which is generally considered the required operating temperature for commercial fusion feasibility.
