Helion Energy has become the first company globally to obtain regulatory licenses for a fusion power facility, marking a significant milestone in the race to harness fusion energy. The startup, headquartered in Everett, Washington, initiated construction of its Orion plant in Malaga last year, aiming to generate 50 megawatts of power.
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) has granted Helion a Radioactive Materials License and a Radioactive Air Emissions License, confirming that the company has satisfied the necessary safety standards for its operations. CEO David Kirtley emphasized the close collaboration with the DOH, while Jill Wood, director of the DOH’s Office of Radiation, highlighted the importance of regulatory oversight in advancing clean energy.
Helion has raised $463 million in funding recently, increasing its total investments to $1.5 billion. The company aims to supply electricity to a Microsoft data center by 2028, as part of its broader ambition to lead in fusion energy production, an area where no entity has yet achieved commercially viable output.