Google has officially entered the commercial fusion space through a new partnership with Commonwealth Fusion Systems which is a private company formed out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

“On Monday Google announced that it will purchase 200 megawatts of fusion energy from ARC which is a grid-scale fusion power plant now under development in Chesterfield County Virginia.” 

ARC is being developed by CFS and is expected to deliver 400 megawatts of carbon-free electricity once operational in the early 2030s. That is enough energy to support major industrial operations or power roughly 150000 households. This agreement gives Google an option to buy power from future ARC facilities as well. Google has invested in CFS since 2021 and now it has increased its stake in the company based in Devens Massachusetts. Google and CFS did not reveal financial details of the expanded investment but confirmed the deal is part of a broader vision.

Google’s Commitment To Clean Energy Expands Through Fusion

Fusion power works by heating atomic nuclei to more than 100 million degrees Celsius which causes the fuel to form a plasma. In that state the nuclei fuse and release huge amounts of energy that can be used to generate electricity. This energy process releases no carbon emissions and has long been seen as the future of clean energy. 

Michael Terrell who leads Google’s advanced energy division said the company believes fusion can meet global energy needs. CFS is one of many firms competing to make fusion power available at scale. Earlier this month Google also renewed its support for TAE Technologies which is another fusion company in California. The fusion partnership with CFS highlights Google’s effort to lead in both technology and sustainable power.