Samsung C&T Commits up to $100M to Oak Ridge Nuclear Project
Samsung C&T will fund construction of Kairos Power's Hermes 2 plant in Tennessee, adding engineering services to the capital injection.
Key points
- Samsung C&T will invest up to $100 million and provide engineering services for the Hermes 2 plant.
- Kairos Power holds the first US construction permit for a Generation IV reactor, with groundbreaking in April.
- TVA expects one reactor to operate in 2030 and additional capacity to be added by 2035.
Samsung C&T has agreed to invest up to $100 million in the Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The South Korean conglomerate will provide direct capital and in-kind engineering services to support Kairos Power in completing the facility. This arrangement is contingent on receiving necessary regulatory approvals.
Beyond financial backing, Samsung C&T is integrating its workforce into Kairos Power’s engineering, procurement, and construction teams. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor technology. This collaboration extends to future commercial-scale deployments of advanced nuclear energy.
Hermes 2 construction status and permits
Kairos Power broke ground on the Hermes 2 site in April, marking the first time a Generation IV reactor has received a United States construction permit for power production. The facility is designed to utilize fluoride salt-cooled technology, which operates at high temperatures to improve efficiency. The company has already secured additional strategic partners, including Google and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Tennessee nuclear energy expansion plans
The Tennessee Valley Authority projects that one reactor at Hermes 2 will begin operations in 2030, with additional capacity coming online by 2035. These timelines align with a broader state initiative to establish Tennessee as a center for nuclear innovation. The region recently granted its first commercial fusion license to Knoxville-based Type One Energy, further diversifying its nuclear portfolio.
Workforce and regional economic impact
Kairos Power announced in August that it would train local residents in East Tennessee to join the nuclear workforce. This initiative supports the long-term operational needs of the Hermes 2 facility and future reactor sites. The investment from Samsung C&T adds a multinational dimension to the project, bringing specialized engineering expertise to the regional supply chain.
