The Seattle-area fusion company, Helion Energy, is in talks with OpenAI to supply vast amounts of electricity for data centers. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has invested $375 million in Helion and is the board chair of the company. Helion is developing technology to produce renewable energy from nuclear fusion, a potentially limitless source of power that has attracted billions in investments globally. Altman stated at an event earlier this year that the future of AI is dependent on advancements in clean power such as fusion energy or cheaper solar options at a large scale. Helion, having raised $612 million in venture capital and receiving federal grants, is racing to deliver on this breakthrough in fusion energy.
There have been concerns about conflicts of interest due to Altman’s leadership at OpenAI and his involvement with companies like Helion that are seeking business from OpenAI. In 2023, Helion struck a deal with Microsoft where the tech giant agreed to buy electricity from a Helion facility by 2028. Microsoft has strong ties with OpenAI, investing over $1 billion and integrating OpenAI technologies into its products. As tech companies strive to develop more sophisticated AI tools that require significant energy consumption, concerns about energy demands and climate impacts are growing. Helion is currently completing its seventh-generation fusion prototype device, Polaris, which is expected to start operating soon.
Altman’s connection with Helion goes back to 2014 when he recruited the company to join the Y Combinator startup incubator and later invested in and became the chairman of Helion in 2015. This history underscores Altman’s long-standing support for fusion energy even before his involvement with OpenAI. Helion has also partnered with Nucor to build a fusion reactor to power a steel-making facility, aiming to start operations by 2030. The power purchase agreement with Microsoft obligates Helion to start generating electricity according to a schedule or pay penalties to the tech company.
The partnership between OpenAI and Helion highlights the growing importance of clean energy sources in supporting the advancement of AI technology. Altman’s dual roles in leading OpenAI and investing in Helion raise concerns about conflicts of interest but also demonstrate his commitment to innovative energy solutions. With Helion’s focus on nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy source, the company is positioned to play a significant role in addressing the energy demands of tech companies and contributing to environmental goals. As Helion works towards its breakthrough in fusion technology, its partnerships with major tech companies like Microsoft and potential deals with OpenAI reflect a growing trend in securing clean energy sources for data centers and other energy-intensive operations.
