Chelan PUD Considers Next Steps in Potential Partnership with Fusion Company

Helion looking at PUD property near Rock Island Dam

information released

A potential partnership between Everett-based fusion company Helion and Chelan PUD continues to evolve. While Helion is working through a permitting process with Chelan County, Chelan PUD is negotiating a comprehensive lease agreement with Helion.

Helion is interested in siting an office building, assembly building and generator building on a portion of Chelan PUD’s 401-acre Rock Island Dam property. Helion applied to Chelan County Community Development for permits to construct its office and assembly buildings, with plans to apply for a conditional use permit to construct its generator building later.

Chelan PUD is interested in several aspects of a potential partnership with Helion, including:

• The ability to locate new sources of carbon-free energy in a way that preserves local control and serves the growing demand for energy.
• The long-term potential to diversify its energy portfolio with new sources of carbon-free energy.

After negotiations, Chelan PUD staff will present the proposed terms of a lease agreement to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. An agreement intended to secure future access to fusion energy will also be negotiated and brought to commissioners.

Chelan PUD and Helion are also working toward an interconnection agreement, which is a standard process required of any company that wants to connect to the transmission system.