Could be "the largest nuclear power complex in America”
Fermi America, the developer of the planned 11GW HyperGrid AI mega campus in Amarillo, Texas, has partnered with Hyundai to deliver nuclear power to the project.
The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which sets the parameters for the design and delivery of nuclear power for the AI campus by Korean engineering firm Hyundai. The MoU will support the joint planning of a nuclear-based hybrid energy project, development of a detailed business package by project stage, feasibility studies, basic design, and EPC projects.
"We couldn't be more pleased to partner with the team at Hyundai E&C to power the future of AI," said Fermi America co-founder Toby Neugebauer. "America doesn't have time to practice – we need to work with proven partners like Hyundai, who have a successful track record of planning and building safe, clean, new nuclear energy."
Fermi aims to integrate a range of energy sources to power its HyperGrid campus, including, what it says will be “the largest nuclear power complex in America.” The company plans to install four 1GW Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors on the site, with Neugebauer claiming the nuclear complex could start construction next year and be completed by 2032. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently in the process of reviewing the application.
"We have been impressed by the executive team Fermi America has assembled, bringing together seasoned leaders in their respective fields," said Hyundai E&C CEO Hanwoo Lee. "We are especially pleased to see familiar faces in nuclear leadership from one of the most successful recent new build projects, and we look forward to working together to bring this ambitious vision to life."
The project is certainly ambitious. The last set of AP1000 units installed in the US was at the Vogtle nuclear plant in 2023, coming in $17 billion over budget and more than seven years behind schedule.
In addition to nuclear power, the campus will also integrate on-site natural gas turbines, utility grid power, on-site solar energy, and battery energy storage. In July, the company acquired more than 600MW of natural gas generation across two deals.
The project is being developed in conjunction with the Texas Tech University System. The site spans 5,769 acres, with full build-out capacity expected to reach 11GW. The company has commenced geotechnical work on the project and aims to achieve first power by the end of 2026, which will primarily be supplied behind-the-meter. Fermi was founded by former US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry at the start of the year.
