Realta Fusion to build fusion reactor at former Oscar Mayer plant in Wisconsin

A former Oscar Mayer meat‑packing plant in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is slated to be converted into the United States’ newest fusion‑energy research and development center. The 120‑acre site, long dormant since the factory’s closure in 2019, will be repurposed by the Department of Energy in partnership with the University of Wisconsin‑Madison and several private‑sector partners to house a next‑generation fusion experiment.

The new facility will support the development of high‑temperature plasma confinement devices and advanced superconducting magnet technology, key components for achieving net‑energy gain in fusion reactors. Funding for the project, totaling roughly $350 million, comes from a mix of federal grants, state incentives, and private investment. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025, with the first experimental runs projected for 2028, positioning the site as a critical node in the national fusion roadmap.

By transforming an industrial relic into a cutting‑edge science hub, the project underscores the shift toward clean, virtually limitless energy sources. If successful, the research conducted at the Green Bay site could accelerate the deployment of commercial fusion power plants, potentially reshaping the U.S. energy landscape within the next decade.