Helion Receives $175 Million Federal Funding to Develop Advanced Semiconductors for Fusion Power
Fusion energy startup Helion has secured a $175 million federal award under the CHIPS Act to research and manufacture advanced semiconductors and power electronics. The initiative aims to reduce electricity losses in fusion systems, which currently lose 5% to 10% of throughput; cutting these losses could potentially double the net power output of Helion's future reactors. The funding will support a new production line in Washington State for high-voltage, pulsed semiconductors and R&D efforts in Vermont in partnership with GlobalFoundries. While this technology won't be integrated into the company's first plant, Orion, by its 2028 launch, it is intended to significantly boost the efficiency and market competitiveness of subsequent fusion plants. In addition to the federal grant, Helion announced a $50 million private investment, bringing its total funding to over $3.2 billion. The company remains on track to meet its goal of providing electricity to Microsoft Corp. following the deployment of its first power plant.
Topics: CHIPS Act Federal Funding Fusion Energy Private Investment Semiconductor Manufacturing