Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has chosen the James River Industrial Park in Chesterfield County, Virginia, as the site for its ambitious grid-scale fusion power plant. Positioned near Richmond, Virginia’s capital, this location emerged as the ideal choice following an extensive global search. Currently owned by Dominion Energy Virginia, the proposed site represents a significant step toward achieving commercial fusion energy.
In collaboration with Dominion Energy Virginia, CFS has secured a partnership agreement that includes non-financial support. This partnership encompasses development assistance, technical expertise, and leasing rights for the proposed site. According to Bob Mumgaard, CEO and co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, this development marks a pivotal milestone in energy innovation. “In the early 2030s, Chesterfield County, Virginia, will be recognized as the birthplace of commercial fusion energy,” Mumgaard stated. He further emphasized Virginia’s strong commitment to advancing clean and reliable energy solutions, noting the state’s role as a key partner in this groundbreaking initiative.
CFS plans to independently finance, construct, and operate the grid-scale fusion plant, known as ARC, which will have a generation capacity of approximately 400 megawatts (MW). This effort follows the ongoing development of SPARC, CFS’s demonstration fusion machine, at its headquarters in Devens, Massachusetts. SPARC, a tokamak equipped with high-temperature superconducting magnets, is expected to produce its first plasma in 2026 and achieve net fusion energy shortly thereafter. By showcasing a commercially viable design that produces more energy than it uses, SPARC will establish the foundation for the ARC facility.
The ARC plant is anticipated to begin delivering power to the grid in the early 2030s. Edward H. Baine, President of Dominion Energy Virginia, commended CFS for its leadership in advancing fusion energy technology. Baine highlighted the importance of diverse power generation options to meet the growing demand for reliable, carbon-free electricity. “We are excited to support CFS in their mission to revolutionize energy production,” he remarked.
A key innovation underpinning SPARC and ARC is the development of high-temperature superconducting magnets. These magnets enable the creation of stronger magnetic fields, allowing for a more compact and cost-effective design. In November, CFS successfully tested its central solenoid model coil, building on earlier successful tests of the toroidal field model coil in 2021. These achievements validate the two types of magnets required for SPARC’s operation.
Additionally, CFS has proven its high-temperature superconducting cable technology, known as PIT VIPER. This technology incorporates internal electrical insulation to minimize heating during rapid current ramping within a magnet. During testing, the electrical current was ramped up to 50,000 amperes, the maximum planned for SPARC, generating a magnetic field strength of 5.7 teslas—approximately 100,000 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field.
The success of SPARC is expected to pave the way for the ARC plant, and CFS envisions the possibility of constructing thousands of similar facilities worldwide. Each plant will be roughly the size of a large retail store and have comparable site requirements. This scalability underscores the transformative potential of fusion energy in meeting global energy demands.
The world is watching as CFS’s pioneering efforts in Chesterfield County redefine the energy landscape. By harnessing the power of fusion, the company aims to provide a sustainable, carbon-free energy solution that will benefit future generations.
