The first tests of the thermoelectronic laser energy converter (TELEC) concept are reported. This device has been devised as a means to convert high‐average‐power laser radiation into electrical energy, a crucial element in any space laser power transmission scheme using the available high power/efficiency infrared lasers. Theoretical calculations, based upon inverse bremsstrahlung absorption in a cesium plasma, indicate internal conversion efficiency up to 50% with an overall system efficiency of 42%. Experiments reported here were made with a test cell designed to confirm the theoretical model rather than demonstrate efficiency; 10.6‐&mgr;m laser‐beam absorption was limited to ∼10−3of the incident beam by the short absorption region. Nevertheless, confirmatory results were obtained and the conversion of absorbed radiation to electric power is estimated to be near 10%.