US advanced reactor company Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has applied to grid operator PJM Interconnection for grid connection for its first nuclear fusion plant in the state of Virginia.

The Massachusetts-based company, founded in 2018 after a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the application, submitted to PJM Interconnection, marks the first time a fusion power plant developer has requested to join a major grid operator.

The 400-MW plant, known as Arc, is is expected to come online in the early 2030s.

“Through this submission, CFS is demonstrating the ability to connect a fusion power plant to a system that serves about 182,000 megawatts of capacity to more than 65 million customers,” a statement said.