Kairos Power has selected Samsung C&T to support the construction of a 50-megawatt demonstration nuclear reactor planned for Google. The partnership includes an equity investment and engineering services worth up to $100 million.
Under the agreement, Samsung C&T will invest $70 million in Kairos Power and provide additional engineering support. Samsung C&T has previously participated in constructing nuclear reactors around the world.
Kairos Power’s Reactor Plans for Google
Kairos is developing advanced nuclear reactors as demand for electricity from AI data centres continues to grow. Google signed an agreement with the company in 2024 to support the development of nuclear power capacity for its operations.
The startup is currently building two reactors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Hermes 1 is a low-power demonstration reactor designed to help refine Kairos’ technology. At the same time, Hermes 2 is planned as the company’s first commercial-scale reactor and will provide the first 50 megawatts of power under the Google agreement.
Advanced Reactor Technology
Kairos received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2024 to build the reactors. Hermes 2 will use a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor design, which uses liquid fluoride salts to transfer heat while operating at lower pressure levels.
The company is also using TRISO fuel, which places uranium fuel particles inside layers of ceramic and carbon designed to improve safety performance.
Kairos aims to begin operating Hermes 2 by 2030. The company will need to accelerate future reactor development to meet the broader goals of its agreement with Google.
