**Rick Perry Backs Massive Texas Power Project Combining Natural Gas and Nuclear Energy to Fuel AI Data Centers**
*By Daniel Corvell | Patriot TV | November 4, 2025*
Rick Perry, the former Texas governor and U.S. Energy Secretary, has thrown his support behind a groundbreaking energy initiative set to transform the power landscape in Texas and beyond. Through Fermi America, the company he co-founded, Perry aims to develop an 11-gigawatt energy complex near Lubbock that integrates natural gas and nuclear power to meet the skyrocketing demands of data centers—especially those powering artificial intelligence (AI) operations.
The ambitious venture, named **Project Matador**, begins with a 6-gigawatt natural gas plant that has recently secured preliminary approval from Texas authorities. This initial phase ranks among the world’s largest clean natural gas facilities and is slated to come online by 2028, poised to generate revenue quickly.
Following the natural gas rollout, plans are set to add 5 gigawatts of power from small modular nuclear reactors during the 2030s. Once completed, Project Matador could stand as one of the largest nuclear energy complexes in the United States.
Perry describes this dual-strategy as a pragmatic approach: “Natural gas is the perfect bridge to get us to the nuclear future,” he said. This aligns with the increasing need for reliable, around-the-clock electricity to support AI workloads—power demands that intermittent sources like wind and solar often cannot meet without extensive backup systems.
Fermi America recently made headlines by going public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), boosting its valuation to $19 billion amid a surge of investor interest in AI-related infrastructure. Perry holds approximately a 1% stake in the firm, positioning him to benefit significantly from the project’s success.
The project site is located on land leased from Texas Tech University, which stands to gain through potential equity stakes and job creation tied to the development. Recent announcements confirm partnerships with industry leaders such as GE Vernova for gas turbines and Westinghouse for nuclear technology, progressing the nuclear component of the project.
As data centers multiply exponentially—driven by tech giants racing to dominate AI—U.S. electricity demand is projected to double by 2030. Much of this increase will come from these facilities, adding strain to power grids already challenged by regulatory complexities and supply chain issues.
Perry emphasizes factory-built nuclear reactors to enhance efficiency. “We’re going to build these things in a factory, like we build cars or airplanes,” he explained. This approach aims to streamline construction and reduce costs compared to traditional reactor builds.
While some critics have expressed concerns over the risks of such mega-projects, citing historical cost overruns in nuclear energy and skepticism about job creation promises, supporters argue that initiatives like Project Matador are vital for securing energy independence. They sidestep reliance on foreign energy and counter federal policies that have, in their view, hampered domestic energy production.
Echoes of Trump-era energy policies resonate in this nuclear revival, with proponents viewing such endeavors as countermeasures to efforts perceived as undermining American grid reliability through environmental regulations.
Perry’s career track record reflects his commitment to energy security. During his tenure as Energy Secretary, he championed fossil fuels and nuclear power as pillars of national security. Now, as AI continues to reshape global economies, his investment in Texas’s abundant energy resources could prove prescient—ensuring the U.S. maintains a competitive edge where power quite literally means control.
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**Topics:** Business, Economy
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*Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Patriot TV or its affiliates.*
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4350599/posts