Samsung invests $100M in Kairos Power nuclear reactor for Google

Samsung C&T Invests $100 Million in Kairos Power

Samsung C&T's Engineering & Construction Group has committed up to $100 million to Kairos Power to help build the Hermes 2 nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The investment includes $70 million in direct equity and $30 million in in-kind engineering services, structured as a binding term sheet. Samsung's construction arm will embed into the project's engineering, procurement, and construction team, focusing on power generation systems and balance-of-plant infrastructure.

The Hermes 2 plant is a 50-megawatt reactor described as the first commercial-scale unit under Kairos Power's 2024 agreement with Google, targeting up to 500 megawatts by 2035.

The investment follows a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed on August 18, 2026, which also included Barnard Construction and remains pending regulatory approvals from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted construction permits for Hermes 2 in December 2024, marking a key regulatory milestone for the advanced reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Advanced Nuclear Technology for Google's Data Centers

The Hermes 2 project represents a step in Google's plan to power data centers with carbon-free nuclear energy under a 2024 agreement targeting 500 megawatts by 2035.

Kairos Power's KP-FHR reactor design uses molten fluoride salt as a coolant, operating at atmospheric pressure rather than high-pressure systems. This design reduces explosion risks during component failures, according to developers and nuclear experts familiar with the advanced reactor technology.

The reactor also uses TRISO fuel technology, which encapsulates uranium kernels within multiple carbon and ceramic layers for enhanced nuclear safety. These layers prevent radioactive release even under high temperatures, according to developers and independent industry experts familiar with the reactor design.

The US Department of Energy has allocated up to $303 million for earlier Hermes demonstration projects located at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This federal support highlights the government's strong interest in advancing next-generation nuclear technology and long-term reliable vital national energy security.

Timeline, Risks, and Key Monitorables for Hermes 2

Kairos Power is currently constructing two advanced nuclear reactors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States: Hermes 1 and Hermes 2. Hermes 1 is a low-power demonstration reactor, while Hermes 2 is the first commercial-scale power unit expected online by 2030.

Samsung C&T has extensive experience, having participated in the construction of over ten nuclear reactors worldwide as a major engineering firm. This expertise is expected to help bridge the gap between reactor design and actual energy generation for the project.

Nuclear power projects face inherent risks because construction requires enormous capital and often faces long timelines, cost overruns, and strict safety requirements even with regulatory approval.

Key monitorables for stakeholders include the construction timeline of Hermes 2, further regulatory progress, and the company's ability to control project costs over the coming years.

The electricity from the project is intended to flow directly into the Tennessee Valley Authority grid to feed Google's data centers across the broader Southeast region.