Microsoft is all-in on fusion power, with plans to begin purchasing fusion-generated power as early as 2028.
Nuclear fusion is the Holy Grail of energy generation, holding the promise of unlimited, environmentally-friendly, clean energy. Unfortunately, achieving fusion has been an elusive goal.
According to The Verge, Microsoft is betting big on the technology, thanks to its partnership with OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Altman backs Helion Energy, a startup “building the world’s first fusion power plant, enabling a future with unlimited clean electricity. “
Helion is so confident in its ability to successfully crack fusion that it has entered into an agreement with Microsoft to begin producing electricity via the process by 2028. The company will then begin generating at least 50 megawatts a year for Microsoft no later than one year later or it will incur financial penalties.
“The goal is not to make the world’s coolest technology demo,” Mr. Altman said in an interview. “The goal is to power the world and to do it extremely cheaply.”
“We wouldn’t enter into this agreement if we were not optimistic that engineering advances are gaining momentum,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith.
Altman says Helion’s goal is to produce power sooner than the deadline, citing his belief that fusion power could revolutionize the world and investing $375 million to make it happen.
“I had this belief that the two things that would matter most to making the future and raising the quality of life a lot were making intelligence and energy cheap and abundant, and that if we could do that, it would transform the world in a really positive way,” Mr. Altman said.
