OpenAI in Advanced Talks to Buy Fusion Energy From Altman-Backed Helion

OpenAI is in advanced negotiations to purchase electricity from Helion Energy, the fusion startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The deal targets 5 GW by 2030 scaling to 50 GW by 2035, with OpenAI securing 12.5% of Helion's production. Altman has recused himself from discussions and stepped down as Helion's board chair. Helion recently achieved 150 million degree Celsius plasma temperatures inside its reactor, approaching the 200 million degrees needed for commercial operations. The deal signals growing AI industry demand for dedicated baseload power as data center energy consumption accelerates.