OpenAI in Advanced Talks to Buy 5GW of Fusion Power From Altman-Backed Helion Energy by 2030

OpenAI is negotiating to purchase 5 gigawatts of fusion energy from Helion by 2030, scaling to 50GW by 2035 — enough to power a significant fraction of projected global AI compute demand. Altman, who invested in Helion, has stepped down as board chair and recused himself from deal discussions. Helion's Polaris prototype achieved 150 million degree plasma temperatures in February, but commercial fusion generation remains unproven. The deal structure would give OpenAI 12.5% of Helion's production. No site has been selected.