Helical Fusion to begin pilot reactor power-on tests in 2027

Japanese startup Helical Fusion has announced plans to begin initial power-on tests at its demonstration fusion reactor, Helix HARUKA, in 2027. The facility aims to prove the feasibility of stable, continuous nuclear fusion reactions using a helical design.

The company recently achieved a world-first by completing performance tests on high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils, which successfully replicated the magnetic environment required for fusion devices. Construction of the first spiral coil at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) site in Toki is largely complete.

Following the initial tests, Helical Fusion intends to install additional components, such as a liquid-metal wall blanket, with further integrated facility tests planned for 2030. The long-term roadmap includes the development of HELIX KANATA, a larger reactor designed for a 50 MW net power output. CEO Yutaka Tanaka stated that the company aims to construct commercial power plants by the 2040s.

The Japanese government supports the sector, designating fusion energy as a strategic industry with plans to invest 3.1 trillion yen through public and private sectors by fiscal year 2040.