Mekorot and nT-Tao to advance pilot facility for fusion energy in critical water infrastructure – The Jerusalem Post

Israel’s national water company and the Israeli compact fusion company signed an MoU to explore the establishment of a dedicated R&D center and pilot facility for testing continuous power supply for water and wastewater infrastructure under real world conditions
Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, and nT-Tao, an Israeli company developing compact fusion energy systems, have signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic collaboration focused on exploring the establishment of a dedicated research and development center and pilot facility for testing fusion energy systems for critical water and wastewater infrastructure.
Under the collaboration, the companies will examine the suitability of compact fusion systems for the operational needs of national scale water infrastructure, including desalination plants, wastewater treatment facilities and other assets that require continuous, reliable and high capacity power supply. The planned pilot facility is intended to enable engineering and operational testing of the technology under conditions that are as close as possible to a real infrastructure environment.
The collaboration connects two strategic and interdependent sectors: water and energy. Modern water facilities, particularly desalination and wastewater treatment plants, consume large amounts of electricity and require an exceptionally high level of operational continuity. At the same time, energy systems are facing growing demand, grid constraints, price volatility and resilience challenges. This intersection makes the search for stable, available and protected energy sources one of the key challenges facing national infrastructure in the coming decades.
Compact fusion systems may in the future enable continuous power supply at the point of consumption, while reducing dependence on the central electricity grid. For water infrastructure, where power disruptions are not an operational option and energy costs represent a major component of operating expenses, this technology could offer significant potential.
Mekorot is one of Israel’s largest civilian electricity consumers. The company’s electricity consumption accounts for approximately 4% of national demand, while its annual energy expenses approach NIS 1 billion. Against this background, reducing energy costs, limiting exposure to price volatility and securing stable power sources are central strategic goals for the company.
nT-Tao is developing a compact and modular fusion energy system designed to provide continuous and reliable power at the point of consumption for industrial and infrastructure applications. The company’s approach is based on rapid engineering development, scalability and integration into existing systems.
Yossi Yaacoby, Mekorot’s Vice President of Engineering, Planning and Innovation, said:
“As Israel’s national water company, Mekorot continuously examines technologies that can improve the reliability and efficiency of water systems. The collaboration with nT-Tao will allow us to practically assess how fusion energy could in the future be integrated into national infrastructure and provide a response to the growing needs of energy intensive water and wastewater facilities.”
Rear Admiral (Ret.) Oded Gour Lavie, CEO and co founder of nT-Tao, said:
“Events in recent weeks have underscored how essential it is for the economy, national security and the environment to develop protected and stable energy sources with the capacity to meet the modern demands of critical infrastructure. Compact fusion generators could in the future support the continuous operation of energy intensive infrastructure, including water desalination, wastewater treatment, advanced industry and artificial intelligence.”
The MoU sets out a phased collaboration between the companies. During 2026, Mekorot and nT-Tao are expected to carry out feasibility studies, technology assessments and an initial business review ahead of the potential establishment of the R&D center and pilot facility. In parallel, the parties will promote an initial adaptation process under a Strategic Design Partner model, aimed at shaping a gradual path for the future deployment of the technology in critical water infrastructure.
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