Sam Altman has stepped down from the board of Helion Energy as both Helion and OpenAI move closer to a potential large-scale partnership. Altman has been backing the fusion startup since 2025, and the companies are now exploring a major energy supply agreement.
Helion CEO David Kirtley confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that the two companies are looking at future collaborations to deliver zero-carbon, safe electricity at scale. He also thanked Altman for his continued support and expressed optimism about working together in a new capacity.
Altman, while resharing the post, explained that stepping down was necessary to avoid any conflict of interest as discussions between the two companies progress. He noted that although he will retain a financial interest in Helion, he will remain recused from negotiations, making governance smoother for both sides.
According to reports, OpenAI is in talks to purchase electricity from Helion and may secure a share of its power production. Initially, OpenAI is expected to lock in around 12.5% of Helion’s energy output, with projections suggesting access to 5 GW by 2030, potentially scaling up to 50 GW by 2035.
This follows a similar move by Microsoft, which signed a deal with Helion in 2023 to procure fusion-generated power starting in 2028. As part of its long-term roadmap, Helion aims to build the first commercially viable fusion reactor, positioning itself as a key player in the future of clean energy.
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