Bill Gates is building an artificial sun in Tennessee and it hits 180,000,032 Fahrenheit
Published on Feb 20, 2026 at 7:34 AM (UTC-5)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Feb 20, 2026 at 7:34 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Ben Thompson
Billionaire Bill Gates and his team is building an artificial sun in Tennessee, and it hits 180,000,032 Fahrenheit.
Yes, that is hotter than the core of our actual sun, and it is all happening at a former coal plant in the US.
The billionaire-backed project is chasing nuclear fusion, the same reaction that makes stars shine in the night sky.
If it works, this could be one of the biggest energy game changers of our lifetime.
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Bill Gates is building an artificial sun in Tennessee
The company behind this crazy tech project is Type One Energy, and it wants to build its prototype nuclear fusion reactor, called Infinity One, in Claxton, Tennessee, at the old Bull Run Fossil Plant site.
Instead of burning fossil fuels, this machine will superheat plasma to around 100 million degrees Celsius, which translates to a mind-blowing 180,000,032 Fahrenheit, hotter than the actual sun.
Infinity One is what is known as a stellarator, which is basically the hypercar of the fusion world.
While most fusion projects use a tokamak with a simpler donut shape, stellarators use extremely complex twisted magnetic coils to hold that scorching plasma in place.
This type of artificial sun is harder to build, but in theory, it could be more stable and efficient long term.
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It hits 180,000,032 fahrenheit, and the race is on
The Bill Gates backed Type One Energy submitted its initial licensing application in January 2026, officially kicking off the push to get this artificial sun up and running.
The plan is bold: Infinity One is expected to be commissioned by 2029, with a larger 350 MWe plant, called Infinity Two, planned for the future, along with a training center on site.
Of course, fusion has been ‘just around the corner’ for decades, so there is healthy skepticism.
But with experience drawn from projects like the Helically Symmetric Experiment and Germany’s Wendelstein 7-X, Bill Gates’ team believes this time could be different.
If they pull it off, Tennessee will not just be home to an artificial sun; it could be the birthplace of the clean energy revolution.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
