Pioneering Fusion Power Plant Planned in Washington

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Helion Energy, a fusion energy firm based in Everett, has unveiled plans to build the world's first commercial fusion power plant in Malaga, Washington. The proposed facility will have a capacity of 50 megawatts and will be located on land managed by the Chelan Public Utility District (PUD), near the Rock Island Dam on the Columbia River, according to Helion Communications Director Jessie Barton.

While site approval is still in discussion, the company aims to engage local community members to share details of this groundbreaking project. A community event is scheduled for March 11 at Mission View Elementary School. Helion intends to start construction by summer 2025, pending necessary permits, with the goal of generating fusion energy by 2028.

This initiative is seen as a crucial step for Chelan PUD to diversify energy sources beyond hydropower, which dominates the region's energy supply. The fusion plant is expected to supply clean energy to Microsoft under a commercial agreement established in 2023. The project is anticipated to create around 130 temporary construction jobs and approximately 30 permanent positions post-completion.

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