2 minute read | July.07.2023
Microsoft reached an agreement with Helion Energy to provide electricity from its first fusion power plant. The plant is expected to be online by 2028 and will target power generation of 50 MW or greater after a 1-year ramp up period. Orrick advised Microsoft on the agreement.
Helion is a fusion energy company focused on generating zero-carbon electricity from fusion. Its mission is to build the world’s first fusion power plant, enabling a future with unlimited clean electricity.
Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
This is a first of its kind facility, and the planned operational date is significantly sooner than many projections for deployment of commercial fusion power. The development of a commercial fusion power facility is a crucial step in the transition to a sustainable energy future and will not only help Microsoft to achieve its goal of being carbon negative by 2030 but will also support the development of a new clean energy source for the world.
“We are optimistic that fusion energy can be an important technology to help the world transition to clean energy,” said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President at Microsoft in a Helion press release. “Helion’s announcement supports our own long term clean energy goals and will advance the market to establish a new, efficient method for bringing more clean energy to the grid, faster.”
The Orrick team that advised Microsoft was led by Teresa Hill and Lana Le Hir and included Matt Gluschankoff, Monica Molina and Mae Ji.