OpenAI is in discussions to buy electricity from Helion Energy, a nuclear fusion startup with Sam Altman as the largest investor. By 2030, OpenAI could receive 5 gigawatts of power, scaling to 50 gigawatts by 2035. This deal would require Helion to significantly expand its reactor capacity beyond current commitments. Helion’s current agreements include a 50-megawatt deal with Microsoft and a 500-megawatt plant with Nucor. Altman, previously chair of Helion’s board, has stepped down to avoid conflicts of interest in these negotiations. Helion was founded in 2013 and has raised over $1 billion, achieving a 150 million degrees Celsius plasma milestone. Its approach, differing from typical fusion startups, uses magnets to convert energy directly into electricity without generating long-lived radioactive waste. Whether the deal with OpenAI proceeds depends on certain conditions, including Helion’s demonstration of net electricity production.
OpenAI Negotiating Fusion Energy Purchase from Helion
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