Fusion startup Realta Fusion has entered into a partnership with Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) to explore the construction of a 200-megawatt fusion power plant in Wisconsin, slated for the mid-2030s. As part of the agreement, MG&E made an equity investment in Realta, granting the startup access to interconnection sites, engineering support, and financing for the power plant. This deal reflects a broader trend of utilities worldwide seeking partnerships with fusion startups, driven by both the potential of fusion energy to reshape the grid and utilities’ concerns over future power supply.

The article highlights that only a few fusion startups have secured utility partnerships, underscoring the significance of Realta’s agreement with MG&E. Other notable examples include Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) partnering with Dominion Energy to develop a 400-megawatt plant in Virginia, Helion collaborating with the Chelan County Public Utility District for a 50-megawatt facility in Washington State, and Type One Energy planning a 350-megawatt plant in Tennessee with the Tennessee Valley Authority. These partnerships provide startups with valuable resources and de-risk their capital-intensive ventures, while utilities gain early access to a technology that could offer reliable, baseload power to complement intermittent renewable energy sources.

This is a summary. Read the original at techcrunch.com.