TVA and Type One Energy target a 350 MWe fusion power plant

Tennessee Valley Authority signs a Letter of Intent with Type One Energy for a 350 MWe stellarator project at Bull Run, designed for baseload and intended to meet rising electricity demand.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 €/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Type One Energy covering the potential deployment of a fusion power plant at the former Bull Run coal site near Oak Ridge. The project, named Infinity Two, targets a capacity of 350 megawatts electrical (MWe) in baseload service. The selected technology is the stellarator, engineered for steady-state operation. According to the partners, this approach seeks to provide dispatchable supply at competitive prices.

Technical parameters and scale-up

Type One Energy plans to develop Infinity Two using existing materials and fundamental fusion technologies to support near-term deployment. The LOI also covers potential use of prototype facilities as a training centre for operators and maintenance teams dedicated to Infinity Two. The MWe measure reflects net electrical output delivered to the grid. The site choice repurposes a retired thermal facility, anchoring the project in an industrial setting already connected to transmission.

The collaboration highlights continuous baseload output aimed at meeting rising demand linked to artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and advanced manufacturing. TVA positions this track within its pursuit of advanced nuclear technologies intended to deliver reliable, on-demand energy. The partners note that the stellarator has demonstrated stability and steady-state operation with high efficiency. This feature is presented as essential for operators facing variable demand and cost constraints.

Decision framework and prerequisites

Final decisions regarding funding and construction of Infinity Two, as well as any power purchase agreements, remain subject to TVA Board approval. The project is also contingent on applicable regulatory reviews. It must align with the public utility’s least-cost planning processes. At this stage, the LOI formalises strategic interest without constituting definitive commitments.

Don Moul, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), said: “TVA is a leader in pursuing advanced nuclear technologies we need to power America’s economic prosperity and fuel artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced manufacturing.” Christofer Mowry, Chief Executive Officer of Type One Energy, stated: “We are really honored to be working with TVA on the world’s first private sector fusion power plant project.” Tennessee Governor Bill Lee supported the initiative: “Tennessee is ready-made to lead America’s energy independence, and today’s announcement further strengthens our position as a leader in safe, clean, and reliable energy.” “I am excited about the possibility of the first U.S. commercial stellarator fusion power plant being built in the Tennessee Valley,” added Don Moul.

ITER and its partner Demathieu Bard have completed the control building of the fusion reactor in Cadarache, marking a key step in the site’s technical management as preparations for future operational phases continue.
First Light Fusion presents FLARE, an inertial fusion concept targeting a gain of 1,000, with development costs said to be well below current benchmarks thanks to existing technologies and a deployment model based on partnerships.
Eni signs a power purchase agreement worth more than $1bn with Commonwealth Fusion Systems for the 400 MW ARC plant in Virginia, extending a cooperation begun in 2018 and entering a commercial phase.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems raised $863mn in an oversubscribed round to finalise SPARC and accelerate construction of its ARC fusion plant in Virginia, strengthening its position in the global fusion energy sector.
General Atomics injects $20mn into Fusion Fuel Cycles, a joint venture between Canada and Japan, to develop a facility dedicated to the tritium fuel cycle, a central element for the industrial viability of nuclear fusion.
The American start-up promises an energy revolution in 2028 with its unique deuterium-helium-3 technology. Between immense technical challenges and a bold financial gamble.
The UK government is introducing specific rules to facilitate the development of nuclear fusion projects, aiming to position the UK as a global leader in this emerging technology.
The European Union is investing EUR202mn in the IFMIF-DONES project in Granada to test materials intended for future fusion power plants, in cooperation with Spain, Croatia, Italy, and Japan.
Westinghouse Electric Company signs a $180mn contract with ITER Organization to complete the final assembly of the vacuum vessel for ITER’s experimental nuclear fusion reactor, currently under construction in Cadarache, southern France.
Google has concluded a historic agreement to purchase 200 megawatts of fusion energy from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, marking the entry of technology giants into the commercial era of this new energy form.
With a major investment of £2.5 billion, London confirms its ambitious nuclear fusion strategy through the STEP project, aiming to build an industrial prototype by 2040 that will generate jobs, innovation, and economic growth.
German company Proxima Fusion, specialized in nuclear fusion, has announced a €130 million funding round aimed at building a stellarator, an alternative technology designed to achieve industrial-scale fusion energy.
The European Commission opens a four-week consultation to define industrial and regulatory priorities for the EU’s first fusion energy strategy, expected by the end of 2025.
nT-Tao hosts the first Israel Fusion Forum to establish a national industrial ecosystem in a global sector valued in the trillions of dollars.
The international ITER project is organising an open day at its nuclear fusion site in the Bouches-du-Rhône, with teams mobilised to showcase the progress of the experimental installation to the public.
CEA and CNRS deploy SupraFusion, a project funded by France 2030, to develop high-temperature superconductors for nuclear fusion and industrial applications.
US-based TAE Technologies claims it has reduced the size, complexity and cost of its fusion devices by validating a new plasma formation method in a next-generation machine.
Marvel Fusion extends its Series B funding to €113 mn with backing from Siemens Energy, EQT Ventures and the European Innovation Council, aiming to build a laser fusion reactor prototype by 2032.
The West Burton site, selected for the prototype STEP fusion plant, is set to generate thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds annually, according to a study commissioned by Nottinghamshire County Council.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed to develop a nuclear fusion power plant using laser technology in Biblis, Hesse, by 2035. The project brings together the regional government, industrial companies, and scientific institutions to structure a fusion energy sector.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3€/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.