Kairos Power has selected Samsung C&T Engineering and Construction Group to support the commercial deployment of its fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor technology. The companies announced a binding term sheet on September 21, 2026, positioning Samsung C&T as a strategic investor and engineering partner. The collaboration is designed to accelerate the Hermes 2 demonstration plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and strengthen Kairos Power's path to broader commercialization.
Strategic Investment and Partnership Structure
Samsung C&T has agreed to provide up to $100 million through a combination of direct investment and in-kind engineering services, subject to regulatory approvals. The direct equity portion is valued at $70 million, with the remainder delivered as engineering support. The investment is intended to improve Kairos Power's financial readiness as it advances Hermes 2 and prepares for future commercial plants.
Hermes 2 and the Google Agreement
Hermes 2 is a grid-connected 50-megawatt reactor that will demonstrate Kairos Power's technology at a relevant commercial scale. The plant is expected to begin operating in 2030 and will supply clean electricity to the Tennessee Valley Authority grid under a multi-plant development agreement with Google. Google first signed a deal with Kairos Power in fall 2024 to secure about half a gigawatt of electricity by 2035.
Advanced Reactor Design and Safety
Hermes 2 will use a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor design that has been discussed for years but never built at commercial scale. The fluoride salt coolant has a high boiling point, which keeps pressure levels low and limits the risk of high-pressure blowouts during equipment failures. The reactor also uses TRISO fuel, which seals uranium particles in ceramic and carbon layers to reduce the chance of meltdowns.
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Collaboration
Samsung C&T will join Kairos Power's integrated engineering, procurement, and construction team alongside other partners. The company has built or helped build about a dozen nuclear reactors around the world, including the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates. The partners will initially focus on power generation systems and balance-of-plant scope while Kairos Power leads reactor technology and nuclear island work.
Management Perspectives
Kairos Power CEO and co-founder Mike Laufer described Samsung C&T's investment as a reinforcement of the company's disciplined delivery model. Chief Technology Officer Ed Blandford noted that deploying advanced nuclear energy at commercial scale requires strong partners across the full project lifecycle. Samsung C&T's head of energy solution business, Alex CW Lee, said the collaboration aims to support successful project delivery and broader commercialization.
Broader Support and Commercialization
Kairos Power has also received support from the U.S. Department of Energy through an Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program risk reduction award. The company broke ground on Hermes 2 in Oak Ridge in April 2026 after receiving construction permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in December 2024. The partnership with Samsung C&T is expected to strengthen Kairos Power's ability to meet cost and schedule objectives for current and future customers.
By adding Samsung C&T as an investor and execution partner, Kairos Power gains both capital and proven project delivery capabilities for its Hermes 2 demonstration plant. The collaboration supports a fast-moving timeline that aims to bring the first commercial-scale fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor online by 2030. It also signals growing confidence in advanced nuclear technology as a reliable source of clean power for data centers and other large energy users.