Commonwealth Fusion Systems has taken a significant step toward commercializing fusion energy by applying to connect its planned power plant to PJM Interconnection, the largest grid operator in the United States.
The company announced Tuesday that it is the first fusion developer to seek integration into a major U.S. electricity market, targeting operations in Virginia in the early 2030s. Approval for grid connection is expected to take between four and six years.
Fusion energy, which replicates the process powering the sun, remains unproven at commercial scale, but investor interest has surged, with Commonwealth securing more than $3 billion in funding to date.
The proposed 400-megawatt plant roughly half the size of a conventional nuclear fission reactor—is expected to begin construction as early as late this year or in 2027.
Demand for electricity in the U.S. is rising again after decades of stagnation, driven by expansion in artificial intelligence data centers, electric vehicles, and cryptocurrency operations.
PJM is currently managing a large backlog of projects seeking grid access, reflecting broader pressure on infrastructure as new energy sources emerge.
Alphabet Inc. has already agreed to purchase power from the planned facility, signaling early corporate backing for fusion-based electricity.
Chief executive Bob Mumgaard said the grid application is a critical step in assembling the requirements needed to operate a fusion plant in the next decade.
While uncertainties remain over whether fusion can be commercially viable, the move underscores growing efforts to position the technology as a future source of clean, reliable energy.