Powering artificial intelligence data centers with nuclear energy in a noteworthy Texas HyperGrid initiative
In a significant development, Fermi America, a company backed by former US Energy Secretary Rick Perry, has announced plans for the HyperGrid project - a massive private power grid aimed at fueling next-generation artificial-intelligence workloads in Texas.
Located on 5,800 acres in Amarillo, Texas, the HyperGrid project is poised to become the world's largest integrated energy infrastructure project. The full plan includes 11 GW of power capacity, combining natural gas, solar, and eventually four AP1000 nuclear reactors.
The project, which is being developed in partnership with the Texas Tech University System, is seen as a strategic foothold in the U.S. market by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, with renewed nuclear growth on the horizon. The AP1000 reactors, manufactured by Westinghouse, are currently in the licensing and preliminary engineering stage, with the nuclear island construction scheduled to begin next year.
The HyperGrid model offers a hedge against volatile wholesale prices and potential carbon constraints by combining on-site generation with direct consumption. The first reactor in the HyperGrid project is targeted for commercial operation in 2032.
The HyperGrid project is unique in that it operates as an off-grid private energy system, specifically designed to meet high power demand from AI data centers. Amarillo lies outside the main Texas grid (ERCOT), making it an ideal location for this off-grid system.
The HyperGrid campus is expected to deliver one gigawatt of online power by the end of 2026, with the initial phase of the overall project targeted to be online by 2026. The project is part of a structural shift in U.S. electricity demand, driven by reindustrialization, AI-driven data-center growth, and mass electrification.
Further project details, such as nuclear energy veteran hires and procurement plans, are expected to be released soon by Fermi America. Hyundai Engineering & Construction is also involved in the Texan reactors, indicating a multi-company collaboration on the build.
The HyperGrid campus, once completed, may become a template for pairing advanced nuclear reactors with high-density AI computing. The project, according to a McKinsey 2025 energy study, keeps pace with the increased power demand by leveraging both "grid-enhancing technologies" and the "scaling [of] commercial nuclear generation."
In a notable move, Fermi America has enlisted South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction to design and build the nuclear heart of the project. Fermi America has also received approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build four Westinghouse AP1000 pressurized-water reactors. The review of the Combined Operating License Application was green-lighted in record time.
The power will be consumed almost entirely by on-site AI data centers rather than the public grid, sidestepping many of the transmission bottlenecks that slow conventional projects. The HyperGrid project, therefore, represents a significant step forward in the integration of nuclear energy and AI technology.
[1] HyperGrid Project Official Website: www.hypergridproject.com [2] McKinsey & Company: "Energy Insights: The future of nuclear power" (2020) [3] U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Combined Operating License Application - Fermi America's Westinghouse AP1000 reactors (2025)
- The HyperGrid project, a significant development, is poised to become the world's largest integrated energy infrastructure project, leveraging innovation in robotics and technology, as it aims to fuel next-generation artificial-intelligence workloads.
- The project, backed by finance from various sources, includes a diverse mix of energy sources such as natural gas, solar, and nuclear reactors – a clear testament to the commitment towards science and sustainable energy.
- In partnership with Texas Tech University System and other industry players like Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the HyperGrid project represents a strategic move, aligning with the growing demand for AI-driven data centers and the potential growth in the nuclear industry.
