CB&I announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. to explore collaborative opportunities for nuclear new-build projects in the United States. The strategic partnership aims to leverage the distinct strengths of both companies to address growing energy demands through reliable and sustainable nuclear power solutions.
CB&I has established itself as a dominant force in nuclear infrastructure development, having supplied engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for 123 nuclear containment vessels throughout the United States. The company’s recent achievements include completing two AP1000 containment vessel units at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia, while also delivering nine additional vessels for international projects.
The company’s nuclear expertise extends beyond sheer volume, encompassing industry-leading safety and quality standards. CB&I operates under an ASME-approved nuclear quality assurance programme that enables the organisation to meet the most stringent regulatory requirements for nuclear project development.
Mark Butts, CB&I president and CEO, emphasised the company’s market position as the most experienced, fully integrated, turnkey supplier of nuclear containments in the industry. He noted that CB&I has provided containment vessels to 75 percent of the operating nuclear power plants currently functioning in the United States, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the company’s nuclear infrastructure experience.
Butts explained that the MOU creates opportunities to combine CB&I’s deep technical and EPC expertise with HDEC’s robust construction capabilities. This collaboration aims to offer compelling solutions for the safe and efficient development of next-generation nuclear facilities, positioning both companies to capitalise on anticipated growth in US nuclear power development.
The partnership represents a strategic approach to addressing the complex requirements of modern nuclear construction projects, which demand both technical sophistication and proven construction execution capabilities. By combining their respective strengths, the companies seek to create competitive advantages in pursuing new nuclear build opportunities.
HDEC brings substantial international nuclear construction experience to the partnership, with particular expertise demonstrated through major projects including the UAE Barakah nuclear power plant and significant domestic nuclear installations in South Korea. The company’s track record encompasses both nuclear power plant construction and comprehensive risk management capabilities that have been proven across multiple large-scale projects.
Hanwoo Lee, CEO of HDEC, characterised the company’s nuclear power plant construction and risk management capabilities as core competitive strengths that differentiate HDEC in the global nuclear construction market. These capabilities have been validated through the successful completion of complex international nuclear projects that required adherence to strict safety and quality standards.
Lee described the preliminary agreement as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with CB&I while establishing a strong foundation for stable entry into the US nuclear market. The partnership provides HDEC with access to CB&I’s extensive US market knowledge and regulatory expertise while offering CB&I enhanced construction capabilities and international project experience.
The collaboration addresses the growing recognition that next-generation nuclear projects require partnerships that can deliver both technical excellence and construction efficiency. The combination of CB&I’s established US nuclear market presence with HDEC’s proven construction capabilities creates a platform for pursuing emerging opportunities in American nuclear power development.
The MOU announcement comes at a time of renewed interest in nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free energy source capable of meeting growing electricity demands while supporting climate objectives. The partnership positions both companies to respond to anticipated increases in nuclear new-build activity as utilities and policymakers seek dependable alternatives to fossil fuel generation.
The collaboration reflects broader trends in the nuclear industry, where successful project delivery increasingly requires partnerships that combine specialised technical expertise with proven construction execution capabilities. The CB&I-HDEC partnership exemplifies this approach by bringing together complementary strengths to address the complex challenges of modern nuclear construction projects.
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