Commonwealth Fusion Systems to Build World's First Commercial Fusion Power Plant in Virginia
By Karl Tischler
On December 17th, 2024, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) announced plans to build the world’s first commercial fusion power plant, ARC, in Chesterfield County, Virginia. This groundbreaking facility will be financed, owned, and operated solely by CFS, with non-financial collaboration from Dominion Energy Virginia. The project aims to deliver grid-scale fusion energy in the early 2030s, marking a critical step toward fusion commercialisation.
So what have they done, and why is it significant?
Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) plans to begin operating its first fusion power plant, ARC, in the early 2030s. This illustration shows an aerial view of the facility at the James River Industrial Park in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Fusion, the physical process that powers the sun, is a clean, safe, and carbon-free source of energy. ©Commonwealth Fusion Systems
What have they done? - CFS secures Virginia as its power plant site
CFS has selected the James River Industrial Park in Virginia as the site for its ARC power plant, following a global search. The company will independently finance and operate the facility, capable of generating 400 megawatts of carbon-free electricity—enough to power 150,000 homes or large industrial sites. Dominion Energy will provide technical expertise and leasing rights but no financial backing.
The announcement follows CFS’s progress on SPARC, its fusion demonstration machine, which aims to achieve net energy by 2027. ARC will build on SPARC’s design to deliver commercially viable fusion power to the grid.
Why is it impressive? - A first in fusion energy commercialisation
This initiative represents a monumental milestone in the fusion energy sector. If successful, ARC will become the first grid-scale commercial fusion power plant in operation, setting a global precedent. CFS’s choice to finance and operate the plant independently underscores its confidence in its high-temperature superconducting magnet technology and its potential to deliver clean, reliable power at scale.
The collaboration with Dominion Energy further highlights the project’s integration with existing energy infrastructure, positioning Virginia as a leader in the clean energy transition.
Why is it important? - Fusion energy on the brink of reality
The significance of CFS’s announcement extends beyond its technological firsts. By committing to ARC’s development, CFS signals that fusion energy is no longer a distant ambition but an imminent reality. The plant’s economic impact is also noteworthy, with billions of dollars expected in regional investment and the creation of hundreds of jobs during construction and operation.
This development addresses critical challenges in the energy sector: achieving net-zero carbon emissions while meeting growing demand for reliable, firm power. Fusion offers a unique solution, combining the scalability of fossil fuels with the sustainability of renewables.
This illustration shows a Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) fusion power plant called ARC. It’s a machine called a tokamak that uses powerful magnets to confine and control a highly energetic cloud of hydrogen nuclei called a plasma. When heated to 100 million degrees Celsius, these particles fuse, releasing tremendous amounts of energy that’s captured as heat and converted to electrical power. CFS will build the first ARC at the James River Industrial Park in Chesterfield County, Virginia. ©Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Comparison with Other Fusion Approaches
Fusion energy is a rapidly advancing field, with several high-profile projects taking varied approaches to achieve their goals. Let’s look at some other efforts you might be familiar with and how they compare to ARC.
STEP (UK): A Public-Sector Prototype
The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) is a prototype fusion power plant designed to demonstrate the integration of fusion technologies and their commercial potential. Using a spherical tokamak design, STEP aims for higher efficiency by achieving improved plasma pressure relative to magnetic field strength. Funded by the UK government and managed by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), STEP reflects a public-sector initiative to position the UK as a leader in fusion energy. Its first operation is targeted for 2040.
Planned Power Output: Specific figures are not publicly detailed.
Infinity One (Type One Energy): Advancing Stellarator Physics
Infinity One serves as a proof-of-concept device for stellarator technology, which offers the potential for steady-state fusion operation without requiring the pulsed plasma currents used in tokamaks. Employing a stellarator design, it prioritizes stability and continuous operation, though with greater engineering complexity. Privately run by Type One Energy, the project will be located at a former TVA coal power plant site in the US. It focuses on advancing stellarator physics rather than immediate power generation. Read more about Infinity One here.
Planned Power Output: Not aiming for power generation but rather proof-of-concept advancements for stellarator physics.
ARC (CFS): A Private Path to Grid-Scale Fusion
ARC’s goal is to become the first grid-scale commercial fusion power plant, targeting near-term commercialisation and integration into existing energy infrastructure. Based on SPARC’s compact tokamak design, ARC incorporates high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets to achieve smaller reactor size and cost-efficiency without compromising performance. Unlike STEP and Infinity One, ARC is privately funded and operated by Commonwealth Fusion Systems, with grid connection expected in the early 2030s. This innovative approach establishes a faster, cost-effective pathway to market compared to traditional tokamaks or stellarators.
Planned Power Output: Approximately 400 megawatts (MW) of electricity, sufficient to power about 150,000 homes.
By advancing fusion technology at different stages, these projects collectively drive progress in the field while targeting complementary goals. While STEP and Infinity One focus on long-term integration and foundational research, respectively, ARC stands out for its singular focus on delivering commercial fusion power to the grid in the near term. This private-sector-led project sets a benchmark for innovation, marking a critical step toward making fusion energy a practical solution for the global energy sector.
Expert Insights:
Stuart Allen, CEO of FusionX Group, highlights two key aspects of the ARC announcement:
“CFS are starting on ARC even before SPARC is complete, which indicates their confidence in their path to commercialisation and their stated timeline for it. Though Dominion are not taking a huge amount of risk at present, with CFS to finance-build-own-operate, early established partnerships with EPC contractors, distributors, and potential off-takers are going to be an important complement to technological leadership as financing evolves and eventually shifts to the public markets.”
Scott Hsu, Ph.D., Senior Advisor and Lead Fusion Coordinator at the US Department of Energy, emphasises the significance of this step for the fusion industry and the DOE’s role in supporting private-sector efforts:
“We are excited that Commonwealth Fusion Systems has selected a site for ARC, their grid-scale prototype fusion power plant. This represents a significant step forward for the fusion industry and advances our shared commitment with the private sector to accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy. We are proud to be supporting CFS through DOE’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, which is an important component of DOE’s fusion strategy. DOE’s Fusion Energy Sciences program is focused on closing scientific and technological gaps to help enable designs for ARC and those of other industry-led prototype fusion plants.”
Pietro Barabaschi, Director-General of ITER, offers a broader perspective on the engineering challenges that remain for tokamak-based fusion:
"Commonwealth Fusion is setting an extremely ambitious goal with its timeline. To make tokamak-based fusion a practical source of electricity, there are so many remaining engineering challenges that must be overcome. These are well known, such as material resistance under irradiation, power flux and power exhaust issues, tritium breeding, steady state operation of tokamaks, etc. At the same time I really wish CFS well in this endeavour – and, as with all private sector fusion efforts, ITER will continue to provide support in the form of knowledge and expertise."
What’s next? - Building momentum toward operation
CFS’s immediate focus is completing SPARC, which will demonstrate net energy production by 2027. Lessons from SPARC will guide ARC’s construction, scheduled to begin in the late 2020s, with grid connection expected in the early 2030s.
Looking ahead, the success of ARC could catalyse further investment in fusion technology, paving the way for additional plants and accelerating the transition to a carbon-free energy future.
By spearheading the commercialisation of fusion energy, CFS is not only setting a benchmark but also inspiring a new wave of innovation and collaboration in the global energy industry.