Microsoft just made a far-from-certain bet on nuclear fusion

[csmeyer]

https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/10/23717332/microsoft-nuclear-fusion-power-plant-helion-purchase-agreement

[clouddrover]

> “This is a binding agreement that has financial penalties if we can’t build a fusion system,” Helion founder and CEO David Kirtley tells The Verge.

So how exactly is this a "huge, far-from-certain bet" by Microsoft? It sounds much more like Microsoft signed a low risk deal.

If the reactor works, Microsoft gets the benefit of fusion power. If the reactor doesn't work, Microsoft gets paid penalty fees.

[throw9away6 → clouddrover]

Yeah but how much money can you get out of a bankrupt company?

[mig39]

See also:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35887537