Fusion startup Realta Fusion has announced a partnership with Madison Gas and Electric to explore building a 200-megawatt fusion power plant in Wisconsin. If built, it would be one of the first grid-connected fusion plants in the United States.
The plant could be constructed sometime in the mid-2030s, with capacity roughly sufficient to power a small city. Madison Gas and Electric also made an equity investment in Realta, but the companies did not disclose its value.
Under the agreement, Realta will receive engineering and technical assistance, financing for the eventual plant, access to interconnection sites, and support with permitting, site selection, and land leases. The startup is converting an old Oscar Mayer factory in Madison into a research and development facility.
The deal reflects utilities’ growing interest in fusion as electricity demand rises, including demand from AI data centers. Fusion plants are being designed to operate around the clock, offering a potential fossil fuel-free source of consistent power alongside wind, solar, and batteries.
Other fusion startups with utility partnerships include Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helion, Type One Energy, and Proxima Fusion. Their announced projects range from 50 megawatts to 400 megawatts, with planned start dates from 2028 to the late 2030s.
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