Pacific Fusion has chosen Albuquerque as the location for its first research and manufacturing campus, according to an announcement made by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on September 26. The commercial fusion energy company plans to build a $1 billion facility in the Mesa del Sol area, which is expected to support New Mexico’s role in advanced energy innovation.
Fusion energy, which powers the sun and stars, has been sought after as a potential source of clean and safe power due to its capacity for generating large amounts of on-demand electricity. Pacific Fusion’s planned campus will house its Demonstration System, aimed at achieving net facility gain—producing more energy from a fusion reaction than the total energy used—by 2030. If successful, this would represent a significant step toward commercial fusion power.
“We’re excited to expand our operations to New Mexico for many reasons, chief among them the close partnership we’ve developed with state and local leadership, who have made this project possible,” said Keith LeChien, co-founder and chief technology officer of Pacific Fusion. “Working alongside the Governor’s Office, the Economic Development Department, the city of Albuquerque, key legislators from both parties, and the national labs, we’ve built true partnerships over the past several months. That collaboration gives us confidence that together we’ll be able to move quickly to deliver on the promise of low-cost fusion power.”
Once finalized, the project is projected to bring more than 200 long-term jobs to New Mexico along with hundreds of construction positions and opportunities for workforce development. It is considered an anchor investment for developing a broader fusion industry ecosystem in the region.
The new facility will expand upon Pacific Fusion’s current operations in Northern California but will not generate power onsite; instead it will focus exclusively on research and manufacturing activities. Company officials stated that safety and minimal disruption to surrounding areas are priorities in their design.
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce expressed full support for major economic development initiatives like Pacific Fusion’s expansion into Albuquerque.
