Hermes 2 nuclear reactor construction in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is gaining engineering and financial support from Samsung C&T. The Korean engineering and construction group will provide up to $100 million.
The package combines direct investment with in-kind engineering services, subject to regulatory approvals. According to TechCrunch, $70 million will come through equity investment. The partnership supports Kairos Power’s construction of the 50 MWe reactor for Google’s electricity supply.
Hermes 2 Nuclear Reactor Gains Construction Support
Samsung C&T will join Kairos Power’s integrated engineering, procurement and construction team. Its initial role covers selected engineering and construction activities. These activities include power-generation systems and balance-of-plant work.
Meanwhile, Kairos Power will lead reactor technology, engineering, manufacturing and procurement. It will also lead construction activities for the nuclear island. This structure gives the project specialized construction support while retaining reactor responsibilities with Kairos.
The investment package includes $70 million in equity, according to Kairos Power. Engineering services will account for the remaining value of the $100 million package. Samsung C&T has delivered 12 gigawatts across 10 nuclear units, according to Kairos.
The partnership builds on an August 2026 memorandum involving Kairos Power, Samsung C&T and Barnard Construction. It adds another major construction capability to the project delivery structure. Therefore, the arrangement strengthens engineering and execution resources during the construction phase.
Hermes 2 Nuclear Reactor Advances towards 2030 Operation
Kairos Power broke ground on Hermes 2 in Oak Ridge in April 2026. The grid-connected project will provide up to 50 MWe to the Tennessee Valley Authority grid. That electricity will support Google data centers in Tennessee and Alabama.
Google and Kairos Power signed a multi-plant development agreement in October 2024. Under the agreement, Kairos plans to develop reactors delivering up to 500 MWe by 2035. Hermes 2 represents the first deployment under that broader arrangement.
The project uses Kairos Power’s fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor technology. It combines TRISO particle fuel with molten fluoride salt coolant. Kairos intends the technology to support scalable commercial advanced nuclear deployment.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued Hermes 2 construction permits in November 2024. The permits authorized construction of the test reactor facility in Oak Ridge. Kairos must obtain operating approval before the facility can begin operation.
Kairos later increased Hermes 2’s planned output to 50 MWe from earlier lower-capacity configurations. The company describes the plant as a demonstration at relevant commercial scale. The project aims to reduce technical, licensing, manufacturing and construction uncertainty.
Construction Delivery and Commercial Expansion
Samsung C&T’s participation extends beyond Hermes 2 toward future KP-FHR commercial plants. The companies intend to develop a standardized approach for later deployments. Samsung C&T will initially support power-generation and balance-of-plant scopes.
Kairos Power will retain leadership over the nuclear island and reactor technology. Its project management organization will oversee controls and execution during development and construction. Barnard Construction also remains part of the project delivery framework.
The investment strengthens Kairos Power’s financial position during Hermes 2 construction. At the same time, Samsung C&T brings major-project engineering and construction management experience. The collaboration supports Kairos’ strategy for repeatable advanced reactor construction.
Hermes 2’s construction support also connects with Google’s broader nuclear power strategy in the United States. The company is backing additional nuclear capacity at Georgia Power’s Vogtle and Hatch facilities, including a planned 96MW capacity boost.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant
Type: Advanced nuclear demonstration reactor
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States
Developer: Kairos Power
Customer: Google
Grid partner: Tennessee Valley Authority
Planned capacity: Up to 50 MWe
Reactor technology: Fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor
Fuel technology: TRISO particle fuel
Coolant: Molten fluoride salt
Construction status: Construction underway
Groundbreaking: April 2026
Target operation: 2030
Investment package: Up to $100 million
Equity component: $70 million
Funding structure: Direct investment and in-kind engineering services
Regulatory status: NRC construction permits issued
Power destination: TVA grid serving Google data centers
Broader Google agreement: Up to 500 MWe by 2035
Project Team
Developer: Kairos Power
Reactor technology provider: Kairos Power
Nuclear-island lead: Kairos Power
Integrated EPC team member: Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group
Engineering and construction support: Samsung C&T
General contractor: Barnard Construction
Electricity purchaser: Google
Grid partner: Tennessee Valley Authority
Nuclear regulator: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Federal technology support: U.S. Department of Energy
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