Nuclear fusion power plant coming to Chesterfield will be first of its kind worldwide
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The world's first-ever grid-scale commercial fusion power plant is coming to Chesterfield County. In a Dec. 17 press release, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) announced that a plant powered by nuclear fusion, "ARC," will provide 400 megawatts of power to Virginia's energy grid -- or enough to power about 150,000 homes -- starting in the early 2030s. It will take shape in the James River Industrial Park. This future development was made possible through an agreement with Dominion Energy. According to the release, through this "nonfinancial collaboration," Dominion will provide CFS with development and technical expertise, as well as leasing rights for the site, which it currently owns. A spokesperson for Dominion Energy said in the release that its customers' "growing needs for reliable, carbon-free power [benefit] from as diverse a menu of power generation options as possible." Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine, forming a single heavier one and releasing "massive amounts of energy," according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Fusion is the last energy source humanity needs, with cheap and abundant fuel, inherently safe operations, and no greenhouse gas emissions," CFS said in the release. "Now ARC has a place to happen." This fusion power plant's development hinges on the work being done by CFS on "SPARC," a tokamak machine that demonstrates fusion energy. According to the release, SPARC is expected to produce its first plasma in 2026 and then net fusion energy soon after, "demonstrating for the first time a commercially relevant design that will produce more power than consumed." Once that is done, ARC can become a reality. The company said that, in addition to generating clean energy, ARC will also generate hundreds of jobs for Virginians. It's the state's workforce that, in part, encouraged CFS to pick James River Industrial Park, according to the release. "We selected this site because it has all the things one would want for the site for the first commercial fusion power plant," CFS said. "It’s in a state and county that has welcomed us. It can put the power to good use. It has a workforce that is capable and eager. The physical site is big enough, flat enough and near good transportation. It has a connection to the grid after a coal power plant retired. And it’s accessible so the world can come and visit." In a Dec. 17 press release from the Office of the Governor, Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised CFS' choice to develop in Virginia as a "historic moment." "Commonwealth Fusion Systems is not just building a facility, they are pioneering groundbreaking innovation to generate clean, reliable, safe power, and it’s happening right here in Virginia," Youngkin said. "We are proud to be home to this pursuit to change the future of energy and power.” The office added that this plant is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic development.
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The world's first-ever grid-scale commercial fusion power plant is coming to Chesterfield County.
In a Dec. 17 press release, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) announced that a plant powered by nuclear fusion, "ARC," will provide 400 megawatts of power to Virginia's energy grid -- or enough to power about 150,000 homes -- starting in the early 2030s. It will take shape in the James River Industrial Park.
This future development was made possible through an agreement with Dominion Energy. According to the release, through this "nonfinancial collaboration," Dominion will provide CFS with development and technical expertise, as well as leasing rights for the site, which it currently owns.
A spokesperson for Dominion Energy said in the release that its customers' "growing needs for reliable, carbon-free power [benefit] from as diverse a menu of power generation options as possible."
Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine, forming a single heavier one and releasing "massive amounts of energy," according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"Fusion is the last energy source humanity needs, with cheap and abundant fuel, inherently safe operations, and no greenhouse gas emissions," CFS said in the release. "Now ARC has a place to happen."
This fusion power plant's development hinges on the work being done by CFS on "SPARC," a tokamak machine that demonstrates fusion energy. According to the release, SPARC is expected to produce its first plasma in 2026 and then net fusion energy soon after, "demonstrating for the first time a commercially relevant design that will produce more power than consumed." Once that is done, ARC can become a reality.
The company said that, in addition to generating clean energy, ARC will also generate hundreds of jobs for Virginians. It's the state's workforce that, in part, encouraged CFS to pick James River Industrial Park, according to the release.
"We selected this site because it has all the things one would want for the site for the first commercial fusion power plant," CFS said. "It’s in a state and county that has welcomed us. It can put the power to good use. It has a workforce that is capable and eager. The physical site is big enough, flat enough and near good transportation. It has a connection to the grid after a coal power plant retired. And it’s accessible so the world can come and visit."
In a Dec. 17 press release from the Office of the Governor, Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised CFS' choice to develop in Virginia as a "historic moment."
"Commonwealth Fusion Systems is not just building a facility, they are pioneering groundbreaking innovation to generate clean, reliable, safe power, and it’s happening right here in Virginia," Youngkin said. "We are proud to be home to this pursuit to change the future of energy and power.”
The office added that this plant is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic development.
