Fermi America has signed nuclear deals with Korean companies Doosan Enerbility and Hyundai E&C related to its hypergrid project in Texas.
The proposed project, which will be called the “President Donald J Trump Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus” (also known as Project Matador) involves an 11 GWe hybrid energy and data infrastructure hub adjacent to the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Pantex Plant, the nation’s primary nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility.
Fermi America, founded by former US Energy Secretary Rick Perry, plans to integrate four Westinghouse AP1000 reactors with what it describes as the “nation’s biggest combined-cycle gas plant”, along with solar generation, battery storage, and utility grid ties to support up to 18 million square feet of artificial intelligence (AI) capacity. Fermi plans to begin nuclear construction in 2026 putting its first AP1000 online in 2032.
Fermi announced an agreement with Doosan Enerbility to initiate forging production of critical long-lead-time nuclear equipment (reactor pressure vessels and steam generators). This locks in Fermi’s preeminent position for Westinghouse AP1000 reactor projects. Fermi was the first company to file for its combined operating licence (COL), which was accepted for review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in September.
Fermi also signed a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract with Hyundai Engineering & Construction (E&C) to begin engineering work on four AP1000 nuclear reactors for Project Matador.
This followed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Doosan for development of both large-scale commercial nuclear plants and small modular reactor technologies and a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Hyundai E&C marking the Early Contractor Involvement stage in the long-term partnership between Fermi America and Hyundai E&C. A full engineering, procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement is expected to follow in early 2026.
“Working with our allies, who have successfully constructed multiple large scale nuclear projects on time and on budget across the globe, is exactly the kind of expertise required for America to win this race,” said Toby Neugebauer, Co-founder & CEO of Fermi America. “Doosan Enerbility and Hyundai E&C have been waiting for an American company to stop power pointing about nuclear and start building it. Their firm commitment to Fermi America positions us for action, leveraging their track record of success to build clean, new nuclear power at the velocity and scale the President demands and the US requires.”
“Based on our mutual respect and seeing Fermi America deliver on promises made, we were eager to launch our plan to help America build clean, new nuclear starting with their Project Matador campus in Texas,” noted Doosan Enerbility President Jongdoo Kim. “We are pleased to partner with [Fermi Chief Nuclear Officer] Mesut Uzman and look forward to continuing successful nuclear projects together.”
Hyundai E&C’s Chief Executive Officer, Hanwoo Lee, and his team recently toured Fermi’s site in the Texas Panhandle, which he stated was “an extraordinary opportunity to restart America’s nuclear industry next door to one of its most historic nuclear facilities.” Mr. Lee continued, “Our firm commitment to American nuclear power starts with Fermi America, where we will show the world that nuclear can and will once again be successfully built in the United States.”
Korea JoongAng Daily commented: “Experts anticipate that the recent deal will accelerate Korean firms’ growing presence in the U.S. nuclear power market, where a surge in electricity demand has been driven by the AI revolution coupled with the need to replace aging power plants across the United States.”
