Samsung C&T backs Kairos Power's Google reactor with $100M deal
Kairos Power has selected Samsung C&T to construct its 50-megawatt demonstration reactor for Google, with Samsung providing up to $100 million in equity and engineering services. The reactor, part of a larger agreement to supply Google with 500 megawatts by 2035, is slated for completion by 2030. Kairos is currently building two reactors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, including its first commercial-scale unit.
Samsung C&T’s involvement brings decades of global reactor construction experience to Kairos, having built or assisted on roughly a dozen nuclear plants worldwide. The $100 million package splits into $70 million in direct equity and $30 million in engineering services, according to a company spokesperson. Kairos is simultaneously advancing two Oak Ridge projects: Hermes 1, a low-power test unit, and Hermes 2, its first commercial-scale reactor, which will supply the initial 50 megawatts toward Google’s 500-megawatt target. The design uses fluoride salt coolant and TRISO fuel—ceramic-coated uranium spheres—to reduce pressure and meltdown risks. Regulatory approval came in November 2024, and Hermes 2 is slated to start operating in 2030.
This deal could accelerate commercial deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, potentially easing grid strain from AI data centers. If Kairos meets its 2030 deadline, it may set a precedent for faster licensing and construction, benefiting tech firms seeking clean, reliable power. However, cost overruns or delays could temper investor enthusiasm, affecting broader startup financing. Nearby communities and ratepayers may see new energy options, but safety and waste concerns remain. The partnership signals growing confidence in novel reactor designs, though real-world performance is still unproven.