Zap Energy receives approval from the U.S. Department of Energy for its preconceptual design report for a fusion power plant through the agency’s Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program. The report describes a sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch demonstration facility targeting roughly 50 MW of net electrical output per module.
Zap Energy adds a nuclear fission plant to its plans as a nearer-term response to electricity demand from AI data centers, while continuing its Z-pinch fusion work. CEO Zabrina Johal frames the shift as a response to urgent grid demand.
Zap Energy closes a $130 million funding round led by Soros Fund Management, bringing its reported total funding to $327 million. New investors include BAM Elevate, Emerson Collective, Mizuho Financial Group, and Xplor Ventures, while Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Chevron Technology Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Lowercarbon Capital, and Shell Ventures also participate. The Everett-based fusion startup uses a sheared-flow stabilized Z-pinch approach and says its commercial-scale reactor can generate 50 megawatts of electricity.
