Pacific Fusion to invest in build center in Los Lunas

LOS LUNAS—Weeks after announcing it had selected New Mexico — Albuquerque’s Mesa del Sol — to build its $1 billion facility, Pacific Fusion announced Monday it has selected Valencia County to begin its endeavor.

Pacific Fusion co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Carrie von Muench told the News-Bulletin the company has selected the old Merillat cabinet facility in the Los Morros Business Park for its first build center in Los Lunas.

“Opening the build center in Los Lunas is a key first step in making the project successful,” Muench said in a phone interview Monday morning. “The manufacturing center, which will open by the end of year, will ultimately have about 100 staff who will manufacture components for the demonstration system, which will ultimately be a sample made at Mesa del Sol.”

The demonstration system, von Muench said, is designed to achieve net facility gain — producing more energy from a fusion reaction than the total energy used — by 2030. The company will operate out of the 200,000-square-foot build center Los Lunas facility while its larger research and demonstration campus is developed at Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque.

Von Muench said once the Mesa del Sol facility is built, the build center in Los Lunas will continue to operate.

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable and clean energy.

“We chose New Mexico for this project because of its capital efficient building environment, close proximity to our collaborators — Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratories,” she said, “and we’re highly-missioned aligned partners with all levels of government in the state and local communities.”

Von Muench said Pacific Fusion, a California-based company, is building a fusion industry in the state, not just one project. She said she is looking forward to bringing the benefit across the state and in Albuquerque and Los Lunas.

“It offers limitless power, on demand, with no dependence on interment resources, no long-lived waste and no potential for melt down,” Von Muench explained. “There hasn’t been any disagreement about fusion being the holy grail of energy, it’s just really hard to make it work and hard to make it economically.”

Von Muench said Pacific Fusion has made breakthroughs in 2022 that has made energy production possible now and in the future.

Over the next decade, the combined facilities are projected to generate more than $1.2 billion in economic impact, including $57 million in direct benefits to New Mexico, and Bernalillo and Valencia counties.

“We’re honored to welcome Pacific Fusion to the village of Los Lunas. Our community takes great pride in creating a place where innovative companies can launch from and thrive,” says Los Lunas Mayor Charles Griego. “As one of New Mexico’s fastest-growing communities, we’re excited to see Pacific Fusion join our family of forward-thinking employers who are shaping the future of technology, opportunity and prosperity right here in Los Lunas.”

“As the New Mexico state representative for this district, I welcome industrial growth and economic development that strengthens our region,” said Rep. Brian Baca. “Projects like this bring good-paying jobs, diversify our economy, and reinforce that Valencia County is not just keeping up — we are leading the way in building New Mexico’s future.”

“New Mexico continues to lead the nation in innovation and clean energy development, and Pacific Fusion’s launch from the Village of Los Lunas is proof of that progress in action,” says Sen. Angel Charley. “Our state’s commitment to technological advancement goes hand in hand with our responsibility to care for the land, water, and people who make that progress possible. This investment represents not only high-wage jobs but also a shared vision for sustainable growth — where economic opportunity and environmental stewardship move forward together right here in Senate District 30, in the heart of Valencia County.”

“As one of New Mexico’s fastest-growing communities, Los Lunas is proud to be the launchpad for Pacific Fusion’s expansion,” said Victoria Archuleta, senior economic developer for the village of Los Lunas. “This investment represents more than just jobs — it opens the door to a future of technological innovation and sustainable growth for our region.”

Interested applicants can find open roles at PacificFusion.com/careers.