CB&I and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. (HDEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore collaborative opportunities for new nuclear power development projects in the United States, the companies announced on July 1.
The partnership aims to leverage CB&I’s deep technical and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) expertise with Hyundai’s robust nuclear construction capabilities to support America’s growing energy needs through next-generation nuclear infrastructure.
“CB&I is the most experienced, fully integrated, turnkey supplier of nuclear containments, having provided these vessels to 75 percent of the operating nuclear power plants in the U.S.,” said Mark Butts, CB&I President and CEO. “This MOU allows us to combine our deep technical and EPC expertise with HDEC's robust construction capabilities to offer compelling solutions for the safe and efficient development of next-generation nuclear facilities.”
CB&I’s experience includes engineering and building 123 nuclear containment vessels in the U.S., including recent AP1000 units at Georgia's Vogtle Electric Generating Plant. The company is recognized for industrial safety and quality, operating with an ASME-approved nuclear quality assurance program.
Hyundai E&C, known for its work on the UAE’s Barakah plant and domestic Korean projects, sees the MOU as a step toward entering the U.S. nuclear market.
“Our unique nuclear power plant construction and risk management capabilities proven through the UAE Barakah and major domestic nuclear power plant projects represent our core competitive strength,” said Hanwoo Lee, CEO of HDEC. “Through this preliminary agreement, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with CB&I and establish a strong foothold for a stable entry into the U.S. market.”
The agreement between CB&I and Hyundai E&C reflects a broader resurgence in global interest in nuclear power as a reliable, zero-carbon energy source amid rising demand and climate challenges. In the U.S., federal and state initiatives to modernize the grid and reduce emissions are fueling renewed investments in advanced nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation containment systems.
By combining Hyundai’s international construction expertise with CB&I’s longstanding U.S. market presence, the partnership is well-positioned to participate in new nuclear builds and retrofits across the country. Their joint capabilities may appeal to utility companies, independent power producers, and government-backed energy programs aiming for large-scale deployment of clean energy solutions.
While no specific projects have yet been announced, the MOU sets the foundation for future collaboration in what both companies consider a strategically important and fast-evolving sector.
CB&I’s parent company, Mason Capital Management, sees the partnership as a key value driver in expanding the firm’s energy infrastructure footprint, while Hyundai E&C continues to grow its overseas EPC operations in critical infrastructure.
As global energy markets evolve and new regulatory frameworks are introduced, partnerships like this will likely become essential to delivering complex energy projects on time, on budget, and at the scale needed to meet future demand.
Originally reported by CB&I STS Delaware LLC in KTLA 5.