Texas A&M’s RELLIS campus is set to become home to a new reactor as part of the nation’s nuclear energy research and development.
The university system has signed a deal with Terrestrial Energy Inc., giving the company control over approximately 77 acres to test and evaluate an Integral Molten Salt Reactor, or IMSR.
IMSR plants generate energy via molten-salt fission. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that use solid uranium pellets, IMSRs use liquid uranium fluoride dissolved in other fluoride salts, which act as its own coolant. As a result, the system is incredibly low-pressure and reportedly safer than normal fission reactors.
“Texas is ready to help lead that work. At the RELLIS campus, the A&M System has the land, research capacity, and workforce mission to help move important energy technologies into the commercial world. This work can strengthen our state, our economy, and our national security,” said TAMUS Board Chairman Robert L. Albritton.
The RELLIS Energy Proving Ground was established following a public memorandum in February 2025 to provide energy companies with land and resources to plan demonstrations and field-test new production technologies in partnership with one of the nation’s largest universities.
Terrestrial Energy was also selected for the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, which tests advanced reactors outside of laboratory conditions. The federal program was announced after President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14301, which seeks to accelerate the testing of such devices.
Terrestrial has indicated its IMSR technology could make nuclear energy a source of safe, clean power for Texans.
“Our partnership with Texas A&M at its RELLIS campus is an important strategic relationship, which showcases the commercial potential of our small modular power plant and its advanced nuclear technology,” Terrestrial Energy CEO Simon Irish said. “Siting an IMSR plant at the RELLIS campus leverages Texas A&M’s world-class research and nuclear engineering capabilities; provides a source of clean, firm electricity for the local grid (ERCOT); and positions Texas as a leader in America’s nuclear technology sector.”
Resource intensive structures such as data centers continue to be built across Texas, increasing the demand for energy.
“The Texas A&M System was built to solve problems that matter to Texas and the nation,” said TAMU Chancellor Glenn Hegar. “Reliable power is one of those problems. At A&M-RELLIS, we are bringing industry, researchers and public partners together to work on practical energy solutions that can support growth, strengthen the grid and prepare students for high-demand careers.”
The Terrestrial Energy agreement is just the latest nuclear project at RELLIS. Last Energy’s PWR-5 nuclear power plant is under construction on the campus.
Texas A&M has reached agreements with two other nuclear energy companies to bring reactors to RELLIS and could complete initial projects within five years.
The RELLIS campus is located near College Station in Bryan, with Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez adding his support for the projects.
“These critical challenges are courageously studied and tested every day at the RELLIS campus, making our community a world-class destination for advancing new technology,” stated Gutierrez. “The City of Bryan is honored to help solve these challenges by supporting investments from companies like Terrestrial Energy.”
