TLDR
- OpenAI is in preliminary talks to purchase power from Helion Energy under a long-term supply framework.
- The proposed agreement would grant OpenAI 12.5% of Helion’s projected power output.
- The allocation could reach 5 gigawatts by 2030 and expand to 50 gigawatts by 2035.
- Helion raised $425 million in January 2025, bringing its post-money valuation to $5.425 billion.
- Sam Altman has stepped down from his position as Chairman of Helion’s Board of Directors and has withdrawn from OpenAI discussions.
OpenAI is negotiating a large-scale power purchase from Helion Energy to secure its long-term power supply. The proposed framework allocates 12.5% of Helion’s expected output to OpenAI. The summit reflects a direct movement toward energy procurement as computing demand accelerates.
OpenAI and Helion outline a multi-gigawatt power framework
According to Axios, OpenAI is in preliminary discussions to purchase electricity from Helion Energy. The proposed structure grants OpenAI 12.5% of Helion’s future production. Current projections suggest that rate will reach 5 gigawatts by 2030.
Axios reports that the allocation could increase to 50 gigawatts by 2035. The 5 gigawatt promise is one of our largest commitments to a single customer. Meanwhile, 50 gigawatts will fit into a national-scale infrastructure plan.
Sources told Axios that the two parties are continuing negotiations on key terms. The agreement remains conditional, and several issues remain unresolved. These issues include the location of future power generation sites;
Sam Altman previously invested heavily in Helion Energy. However, Axios reports that Altman has stepped down as chairman of Helion’s board of directors. He also recused himself from OpenAI’s deal discussions to address the conflict.
Helion believes that fusion development is getting close to scientific break-even. The break-even point represents the point at which fusion produces more energy than it consumes. But to date, no civilian fusion company has achieved that milestone.
Funding history and previous convergence agreements shape the conversation.
Helion Energy raised $425 million in a Series F round in January 2025. After the financing, the company was valued at $5.425 billion. Total funding now exceeds $1 billion.
SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Mithril Capital and Good Ventures Foundation supported the round. Sam Altman previously led Helion’s $500 million Series E round in 2021. These investments establish Helion as one of the most capitalized private fusion companies.
In 2023, Helion signed the world’s first fusion power purchase agreement with Microsoft. The contract aims to supply at least 50 MW of electricity by 2028. In July 2025, Helion secured land and began construction of its first fusion power plant.
Google has been pursuing a separate path with Commonwealth Fusion Systems. In June 2025, Google agreed to purchase 200 MW from CFS’s ARC plant in Virginia. Both companies described the deal as a major convergence milestone.