Helion wins $175M to build US fusion semiconductor line
Fusion startup Helion secured $175 million in federal funding to manufacture advanced semiconductors for its power plants. The investment aims to reduce energy losses by 50%, effectively doubling output. This new Washington State facility will produce high-voltage semiconductors currently lacking domestic US supply, supporting Helion’s 2028 goal to deliver electricity to Microsoft.
Key points
- Helion, a fusion energy startup led by CEO David Kirtley, received $175 million in federal funding to develop and manufacture advanced semiconductors.
- The funding supports the construction of an automated production line in Washington State, which will be the first US facility producing specific high-voltage pulsed semiconductors.
- Current semiconductor devices lose 5% to 10% of electricity; Helion aims to halve this loss to double the power output of its fusion systems.
- The new manufacturing capacity will supply Helion’s Orion plant, which is under construction to meet a 2028 deadline for supplying electricity to Microsoft.
- The semiconductors developed will also benefit other sectors, including manufacturing, wastewater treatment, medicine, and defense, addressing a gap in US supply chains.
Helion Energy has secured $175 million in federal funding to advance its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, a critical step toward commercializing fusion power. The company, co-founded by David Kirtley, will use the investment to build automated capacity for researching, developing, and producing advanced power electronics. These components are essential for Helion’s fusion plants, where current devices lose 5% to 10% of electricity. Kirtley noted that halving these losses would effectively double the system's power output.
The new production line, located in Washington State, will be the first in the United States to manufacture a specific class of high-voltage and pulsed semiconductors. Kirtley emphasized that no current US manufacturer produces these components, making this facility a significant step toward domestic independence in advanced electronics. Beyond fusion, these semiconductors have applications in manufacturing, wastewater treatment, medicine, and defense.
This investment supports Helion’s broader timeline to complete its first power plant, Orion, by 2028. The facility is designed to meet a contractual deadline to supply electricity to Microsoft. By establishing this manufacturing base, Helion aims to reduce reliance on imported components and accelerate the deployment of its fusion technology, addressing both energy efficiency and supply chain resilience.
Sources
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