Google has signed a power purchase agreement with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) for 200 megawatts of electricity from CFS's ARC power plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia. This agreement marks Google's first commercial commitment to fusion energy. The plant is expected to be operational in the early 2030s. Google, an investor in CFS since 2021, is also increasing its stake in the company.
The partnership includes an option for Google to purchase power from future ARC plants. This agreement reinforces CFS's position in developing commercial fusion power, a technology that could transform energy production. CFS's demonstration system, Sparc, is expected to reach a critical ignition threshold by 2027. Following Sparc, CFS plans to establish a commercial version, ARC, in Virginia.
This agreement highlights Google's commitment to sustainable energy solutions, especially for its AI and data centre power needs. The demand for clean, reliable energy is growing, and fusion energy offers a promising pathway. The fuel for fusion is abundant, derived from hydrogen found in seawater and lithium. Unlike nuclear fission, fusion does not produce radioactive waste.
