Samsung C&T joins Google-backed nuclear project in $100M deal

The deal includes a $70 million equity investment, with the remaining value delivered through specialized engineering support. This capital influx accelerates Kairos’s efforts to deploy its fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor technology. The facility, known as Hermes 2, represents the first phase of a broader agreement to provide Google with 500 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035.

Kairos is currently developing its infrastructure in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, after receiving Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval in late 2024. The firm relies on TRISO fuel—uranium encapsulated in ceramic and carbon spheres—to enhance safety and prevent meltdowns. By utilizing fluoride salts, the reactor maintains low pressure, mitigating risks associated with traditional high-pressure systems. Samsung’s involvement is expected to streamline the construction timeline, a necessary step for Kairos to meet its ambitious 2030 target for commercial-scale operation.