Helion is reportedly negotiating a deal that would see it sell 12.5% of its power output to OpenAI.
Sam Altman-backed fusion startup Helion in talks with OpenAI Tim De Chant 8:03 AM PDT · March 23, 2026 Fusion startup Helion is reportedly in talks to sell power to OpenAI.
Both companies are backed by Sam Altman.
The deal, which was reported by Axios , is in early stages, and it could guarantee OpenAI 12.5% of Helion’s production — five gigawatts by 2030 and 50 gigawatts by 2035.
OpenAI partner Microsoft signed a similar deal with Helion in 2023 to buy power starting in 2028.
If the figures in Axios’ report prove to be accurate, it suggests that Helion expects to be able to rapidly scale production of its fusion power plant.
The startup has said that each of its reactors will generate 50 megawatts of electricity, meaning it will need to build and install 800 reactors by 2030 and an additional 7,200 by 2035.
Altman is stepping down as board chair of the company.