Texas-based Fermi America, co-founded by former US Energy Secretary and Texas Governor Rick Perry, in partnership with the Texas Tech University System (TTU System) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction to progress plans for a HyperGrid. The collaboration aims to develop the nuclear component of what is designed to be the world’s largest, first-of-its kind private grid to power next-generation AI.
In July, TTU System established a partnership with Fermi America to create what they described as one of the most significant power campuses in the US and the largest advanced energy, private grid and intelligence development in the world. The Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus aims to support the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI), data innovation and sustainable energy. It will be located in the Texas Panhandle and will include 18m square feet of data centres and generate up to 11 GWe of IT capacity from natural gas, solar, wind and clean nuclear energy.
Under the MOU signed in Seoul, South Korea, Fermi and Hyundai E&C will jointly design and execute the delivery of new nuclear power within the grid project. The agreement provides for the joint planning of a nuclear-based hybrid energy project, development of a detailed business package by project stage, feasibility studies, front end engineering design (FEED) and engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) projects.
Fermi America co-founder Toby Neugebauer noted: “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. Welcome to Texas!”
Hyundai E&C CEO Hanwoo Lee said: “We have been impressed by the executive team Fermi America has assembled, bringing together seasoned leaders in their respective fields. 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.”
In June, Fermi America submitted its Combined Operating Licence Application (COLA) to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear units in the US. The application was accepted for review in record time. With Hyundai E&C on board, Fermi America plans to begin construction on the nuclear power complex next year and aims to have the first reactor operational by 2032.
The project plans for the phased implementation of an 11 GWe independent power supply infrastructure combining: four AP1000 large-scale nuclear power plants (4 GW); small modular reactors (2 GW): gas-fired combined cycle power plants (4 GW): and a solar power and battery energy storage system (1 GW), along with a massive hyperscale AI data centre linked to this power. As an energy campus offering greater stability than the existing power grid, it is envisaged as a specialised system poised to support next-generation AI technology.
A Hyundai E&C official stated, “This agreement is significant in that it allows us to participate from the early stages of this project and contribute to the creation of the world’s largest integrated energy and artificial intelligence campus, which leverages a diverse range of energy infrastructure.” The official added, “Using this as an important starting point, we will proactively secure various new energy business opportunities not only in the US but also in the global market, and continuously strengthen our competitiveness.”
