CHELAN County

THE HOME OF ORION

WHY CHELAN COUnty

When Helion chose Malaga, WA as the site for the world's first fusion power plant, we had two things in mind: direct access to high-capacity transmission infrastructure and a location within one of the cleanest grids in the country.

Construction site with yellow crane lifting pink steel beams for building framework at sunset.

The Columbia Basin has been generating reliable, carbon-free power for nearly a century. That legacy didn't happen by accident, and neither did our decision to be a part of it.

Sun rising over rolling hills beside a large metal industrial building with closed garage doors.
sky and powerlines

Working with Chelan County

Since 2023, Helion has worked alongside Chelan County residents, state and local leaders, community groups, and Tribal nations to ensure Orion reflects our shared values: environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and technological progress that benefits everyone.

Helion's history in Chelan county

20

SITE DISCOVERY

23

A wide aerial view of Wenatchee City with a road running through residential neighborhoods, surrounded by dry hills and distant mountains.

Helion presents at Chelan Public Utility District Clean Energy Expo, kicking off meetings across the community to gather local input on our potential project.

CHOOSING chelan county

24

Helion CEO David Kirtley speaking at a community meeting in a school gym hall.

Helion identifies Chelan County as the site for Orion, meets with community leaders and Tribal nations ahead of filing permits.

HISTORY MADE

25

Aerial view of a digger

For the first time in history, a fusion facility completes and passes a full environmental review, and in parallel, Helion secures a lease for the land, making Malaga, Chelan County the location of the world’s first fusion power plant. In July, Helion breaks ground.

building together

26

Interior of an industrial warehouse with red metal beams overhead and the flags of the United States and Washington state mounted on a white wall above a closed gray rolling door.

Site construction and community meetings continue while engagement programs expand.

[ LATEST NEWS ]

RECENT
UPDATES

Helion  is setting the pace for commercial fusion energy development.

See all updates

See all updates

Wenatchee World | Chelan County Hearing Examiner approves Helion fusion power plant permit

[

10/15/25

]

Press

Wenatchee World | Chelan County Hearing Examiner approves Helion fusion power plant permit

The Chelan County Hearing Examiner approved a conditional use permit for the construction of what may become the world's first fusion power plant.

Reuters | Helion Energy starts construction on nuclear fusion plant to power Microsoft

[

7/30/25

]

Press

Reuters | Helion Energy starts construction on nuclear fusion plant to power Microsoft

The work puts Helion on track to sell power to Microsoft under a deal it struck in 2023.

NCW Life | Helion considering Malaga property for world’s first-ever fusion power plant

[

2/27/25

]

Press

NCW Life | Helion considering Malaga property for world’s first-ever fusion power plant

Helion is considering property in Malaga for the construction of the world’s first-ever fusion power plant with hopes of fulfilling a purchase agreement to provide power to Microsoft.

the world’s first fusion power plant

build what's never been built.

Submit a construction RFP

Submit a construction RFP

Apply at Helion

Apply at Helion

foggy image of a field

get in touch

Construction site with a large gray warehouse, excavators, a white pickup truck, and mountainous landscape in the background.

Have questions about Orion or our work in Chelan County?

Contact us

Contact us