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Hyundai E&C ramps up efforts to revive US nuclear reactor construction
A Hyundai E&C official introduces the company's nuclear power plant construction technologies during a seminar at the Westin Downtown Dallas in Texas, Tuesday (local time). Courtesy of Hyundai E&C
By Park Jae-hyuk
Korean firm hosts seminar in Texas to enhance local understanding
Hyundai E&C said Wednesday it hosted a seminar on large-scale nuclear power plant technologies in Texas to enhance the region’s understanding of reactor construction projects through field-specific professional sessions.
According to the construction firm, the event served as a platform to strengthen partnerships with leading local companies for the successful construction of four reactors within Fermi America’s Project Matador, an 11-gigawatt private energy campus in the southern U.S. state.
Since signing a contract with Fermi America last year for the front-end engineering design of the four reactors, Hyundai E&C has stepped up efforts to lay out facilities on the site, choose a cooling system and estimate costs. The Korean firm aims to sign an engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project during the first half of this year.
“We hope this seminar will contribute to encouraging leading local construction companies to participate in nuclear plant projects,” a Hyundai E&C official said.
“As Hyundai E&C and Fermi America have continued discussions on broader cooperation, we will go beyond simple project execution, establishing a sustainable cooperation framework for nuclear power plant construction in Texas and across the United States.”
Despite growing demand for nuclear plants in the U.S. to ensure energy security, the country has faced difficulties carrying out large-scale projects due to workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions caused by years of halted reactor construction.
Hyundai E&C plans to enhance industrywide understanding of nuclear plant projects and strengthen partnerships with capable companies, thereby improving its competitiveness in the local market.
During the seminar, the company focused on the specialized nature of nuclear power plant construction, covering topics such as construction standards, mechanical installation disciplines, modular construction, specialized works, heavy lifting and worker training.
The event drew representatives from about 100 companies, including Texas-based construction firms as well as key stakeholders from the U.S. nuclear power and construction industries.
“The next decade will be defined by who can build power infrastructure fast enough to support AI (artificial intelligence) and industrial growth,” said Mesut Uzman, chief nuclear construction officer at Fermi America, in his congratulatory remarks.
“Hyundai E&C brings the industrial scale and execution discipline needed to deliver significant energy projects like Fermi America’s Project Matador. We see this partnership with Hyundai E&C as a critical step toward rebuilding U.S. energy capacity.”