Image/Pacific Fusion Website
EDD News:
- The project would bring 200+ jobs and advance clean energy innovation.
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and Pacific Fusion announced today that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state to pursue the siting of a research and development facility in Albuquerque.
The company expects to make a final decision in late September 2025, contingent upon successful site selection and finalization of state incentives. The project will undergo environmental and planning reviews as part of the approval process.
“New Mexico is a natural fit for this project,” said Keith LeChien, Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer at Pacific Fusion. “The Z Machine at Sandia National Laboratories helped lay the foundation for our approach, and the state’s legacy of applied physics innovation, deep talent pool, and business-friendly environment put it in a unique position to become a national leader in fusion energy innovation.”
Keith LeChien, Cofounder/CTO at Pacific Fusion
The company intends to build a state-of-the-art research facility, known as the Demonstration System, that would prove a critical fusion milestone called net facility gain, where more energy is produced from a fusion reaction than the total energy stored in the system. Demonstrating these conditions is an essential step toward eventually delivering carbon-free electricity to the grid.
Upon finalization, the project would represent a capital investment of approximately $1 billion and bring more than 200 long-term jobs to the state, along with hundreds more construction jobs, workforce development programs, and regional economic activity.
“New Mexico is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in advanced energy and innovation, and initiatives like this are turning that potential into reality,” EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black said. “Pacific Fusion is aligned with our priorities for sustainable energy solutions and long-term growth, as well as our commitment to building a future-focused economy that benefits all New Mexicans.”