For now, only the outlines of a plan are clear—funding sources and potential end users of the project’s power or data center capacity are not disclosed. But Fermi America’s website hints at more details to come: “America’s first nuclear-powered HyperGrid will be born on the 4th of July, in the heart of Texas.”
Nuclear and more: Fermi America and Texas Tech envision a behind-the-meter “hypergrid” that would “integrate the largest nuclear power complex in America, the nation's biggest combined-cycle natural gas project, utility grid power, solar power, and battery energy storage” to provide “highly redundant power” on a 5,769-acre campus. The site would have “up to 11 gigawatts” of power and 18 million square feet of “artificial intelligence capacity.”
While the company’s plans for nuclear are boldly stated, details are limited. The Washington Post has reported, however, that the company’s “confidential application for construction of four 1-gigawatt reactors” specifies plans to build Westinghouse’s AP1000 design. At this writing, the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions ADAMS public database does not include relevant communications.
The partners state that “geotechnical work” has begun and that 1 gigawatt of electricity—from an unspecified power source—would be on line by the end of 2026.
Given the project’s planned site, natural gas is close at hand. “Strategically situated at the confluence of several of the nation's largest gas pipelines and located atop one of the nation's largest known natural gas fields, the site offers a prolific, firm, clean-burning, and redundant gas supply,” according to Fermi America’s press release.
Texas Tech: A June 26 announcement from Texas Tech says the Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus will “support the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI), data innovation and sustainable energy.”
In addition, Texas Tech says the project will “advance the mission of the TTU System by providing academic and research opportunities for faculty and students, including internships, employment, and workforce training and placement programs that will benefit all five TTU System institutions.” Texas Tech does not currently have a dedicated nuclear engineering program or a research reactor.
The word from Texas: “President Trump's first executive order addressed the energy issue and emphasized the need to continue making America energy dominant. His recent decisive action to sign four additional executive orders that pave the way for a nuclear power energy renaissance, demands that American innovators rise to the occasion. No one does energy better than Texas, and Fermi America and the Texas Tech University System are answering the call," said Perry.
“Texas is the energy capital of the world, and this campus will not only be the largest energy and data complex of its kind, but also a testament to the unshakable spirit of our university, the Texas Panhandle and this great state,” said TTU System chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell.
Lawrence Schovanec, president of Texas Tech University, added, "This partnership will not only position Texas Tech to address the evolving demands of the energy and technology sectors but will also create meaningful educational opportunities for our students and research possibilities across many disciplines for our faculty.”
“Make America Nuclear Again”: A post from Fermi America on LinkedIn about two months ago shares the company’s vision: “America is in a new kind of nuclear war. This time, it’s not about weapons. It’s about energy—and who controls the future of AI. While we’ve been asleep, China has built 22 next-gen nuclear plants to power its rise in artificial intelligence. America? Zero. President Donald Trump has declared an energy emergency, and Texas, under Greg Abbott leadership, is answering the call. It’s time #WethePeople lead the charge to Make America Nuclear Again.”
