Ando Hazama, a major general construction company, has announced a capital and business alliance with the fusion startup Helical Fusion to participate in the construction project of the world’s first commercial fusion power plant. The background to this partnership lies the expectation for next-generation energy toward realizing a decarbonized society and the creation of a massive construction market to support the rapidly growing electricity demand.

Basic Agreement for the Construction of Commercial Fusion Power Plants

On July 6, 2026, Hazama Ando, a general construction company, and Helical Fusion, a company developing fusion technology, signed a basic agreement for a capital and business alliance and the construction of commercial fusion power plants. Through this partnership, Hazama Ando will join as an official partner of the Helix Project led by Helical Fusion, and will be responsible for civil engineering and construction work for the world’s first commercial fusion power unit, Helix KANATA, which aims to be operational in the 2030s. Fusion power generation is also called artificial solar because it replicates the principle by which the sun generates energy on Earth, and it is gaining global attention as the ultimate clean energy source that emits no carbon dioxide. Ando Hazama will contribute the advanced technical expertise and construction management know-how cultivated through the construction of large-scale infrastructure and power-related facilities, working to solve construction challenges necessary for practical power generation.

The ‘Helix Project’ and Two Critical Devices

The Helix project outlines a phased development roadmap. First, on the premises of the National Institute of Fusion Science (NIFS) in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, the manufacturing and construction of the final demonstration device, the “Helix HARUKA,” is underway. Please refer to the diagram below. This demonstration device will have a diameter of 4 to 5 meters, and there are plans to complete individual demonstrations of key components such as the “high-temperature superconducting magnet” and “blanket” within the 2020s. Subsequently, equipment relocation and integration demonstrations will be conducted to begin operation around 30 years, aiming for practical power generation with the first unit within the 1930s. The commercial power plant “Helix KANATA” is expected to be a massive scale of about 30 meters in diameter, which is seven to ten times the size of the demonstration equipment, requiring extremely advanced technology for construction.

Technical Background: Why Is General Contractor Participation Necessary?

Ando Hazama’s unique shielding and seismic isolation technology

The role played by general contractors in the construction of fusion power plants is extremely important. Because nuclear fusion generates powerful neutrons, buildings must have strict radiation shielding performance. Ando Hazama is the only construction company in Japan to own its own radiation laboratory, and has long advanced the development of technologies essential for building fusion power reactors. Specifically, we have accumulated unique expertise in rational neutron shielding designs using three-dimensional Radiation Transport Codes (PHITS) and the development of shielding concrete that effectively blocks neutrons. Additionally, technologies cultivated in both civil engineering and construction, such as seismic isolation technologies to protect devices that stably maintain ultra-high plasma from earthquakes and ground improvement technologies to support massive loads, are essential for realizing commercial reactors.

Radiation management and advanced construction know-how

Fusion facilities, like conventional nuclear power plants, are specialized buildings that require strict safety and radiation management. Ando Hazama has a proven track record of completing numerous projects related to power and energy, and possesses expertise in the storage and design of experimental buildings for radioactive waste, as well as decommissioning measures. Furthermore, for commercial furnace construction, securing vast sites and negotiating land with surrounding municipalities are essential for construction management capabilities beyond technical skills. In its medium-term management plan through fiscal 2028, the company has identified the energy sector as one of its focus areas, focusing on research, development, and installation of next-generation innovative reactors as strategic growth investments. Please refer to the diagram below. Only by combining the innovative technology of a startup with the solid construction and management capabilities of a long-established general contractor can the path to commercialization be opened.

Social Significance: Fusion as Clean Energy and Market Size

Increased electricity demand due to the spread of AI and the “ultimate energy”

The acceleration of the commercialization of fusion power generation is driven by the explosive increase in electricity demand driven by the rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI). Hyperscalers like Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft are seeking stable supply and carbon-free baseload power to operate data centers that consume massive amounts of electricity. According to forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global data center electricity consumption is expected to double by 2030 and 2025, accounting for about 3% of global electricity demand. Nuclear fusion is fueled by hydrogen extracted from seawater, so there are minimal resource constraints and no high-level radioactive waste is emitted, making it expected to be the ultimate energy source supporting a sustainable society.

A massive construction market expected to reach approximately 11.6 trillion yen by 2040

Even before the revenue from power generation became fully profitable, the fusion industry was predicted to form a huge market through the construction of power plants themselves. According to consulting firm Helixos, the market for commercial fusion power plant construction is expected to reach approximately $73.1 billion annually (approximately 11.6 trillion to 11.7 trillion yen) by 2040. This is more than three times the expected electricity sales for the same year, and global parts, construction, and engineering companies are eager to capture this “construction boom.” In Japan, government support is also taking shape, such as the Cabinet Office’s revision of the “Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy” and the establishment of subsidies worth 60 billion yen. Please refer to the diagram below. Riding this tailwind, Hazama Ando’s participation marks an important step for Japan to take the lead in the global fusion construction market.

Future Developments and Key Points: Roadmap and Challenges for Commercialization

Timeline aiming for operation in the 2030s

Going forward, concrete steps toward commercial operation in the 2030s will be closely watched. The Helix project aims to complete the demonstration of key technologies through the final demonstration device during the 2020s, while simultaneously proceeding with the detailed design and site selection for the first Unit, Helix KANATA. Ando Hazama and Helical Fusion aim to unite the industrial strengths of all across Japan to create a massive industry, and are accelerating the recruitment of partner companies by holding ‘Partnering Events’ across the country. Another key focus is how national projects such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and agile private startups compete or complement each other.

Supply chain vulnerabilities and policy support

There are still challenges to be resolved on the road to commercialization. In particular, the superconducting materials market is concentrated among a few manufacturers during the day, raising concerns about supply bottlenecks during surges in demand. Additionally, establishing a new legal framework and safety regulations specialized for nuclear fusion power generation is essential, and efforts toward system design have begun, such as the Cabinet Office’s expert panel compiling the first report. Proven companies like Ando Hazama are also expected to play a role in providing feedback on safety assurance in construction to regulatory authorities. The ultimate energy realization requires not only technological breakthroughs but also the construction of a public-private supply chain and improved social acceptance will be key going forward.

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