Samsung C&T Invests $70M in Kairos Power Molten Salt SMR
Samsung C&T secures EPC priority for US commercial molten salt reactors via $70M deal with Kairos Power.
Key points
- Samsung C&T invests $70 million in Kairos Power to develop molten salt small modular reactors.
- The deal grants Samsung C&T priority EPC rights for future commercial reactor units in the US.
- Kairos Power’s Hermes demonstration reactor in Tennessee is approved for operation by 2031.
Samsung C&T has committed approximately $70 million to Kairos Power to expand its small modular reactor portfolio beyond light water technologies. The strategic partnership, announced by the construction division on September 22, targets the demonstration and commercialization of non-light water reactor systems using molten salt coolant.
According to businesskorea.co.kr, the agreement will be formalized on September 23 during Climate Week NYC. Lee Chang-wook, head of Samsung C&T’s Energy Solution Business Division, and Mike Laufer, CEO of Kairos Power, will oversee the signing to confirm cooperation measures for the next-generation nuclear power market.
Molten salt technology lowers operational pressure
Kairos Power utilizes molten salt as a coolant, a fluid created by melting solid salt at high temperatures. Unlike conventional light water reactors that require high-pressure operation, this non-light water method allows for high-temperature operation at low pressures.
This technical shift reduces the burden on high-pressure equipment, enhancing safety profiles. The thermal energy generated can also be directed toward hydrogen production and industrial heat supply, diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional power generation.
EPC rights secured for US commercial units
Samsung C&T will participate in the Hermes demonstration reactor project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This project received US Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval for non-light water reactors, a first in nearly five decades, with operations targeted for 2031.
The company will conduct design and constructability reviews for the demonstration unit. Crucially, Samsung C&T has secured priority rights to perform engineering, procurement, and construction for future commercial reactors in the United States.
Expansion complements existing light water partnerships
This move complements Samsung C&T’s existing light water reactor business in Europe, where it cooperates with US firms like NuScale and GVH in markets such as Romania and Sweden. The new agreement opens joint business opportunities in South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
By combining Kairos Power’s innovative technology with Samsung C&T’s project execution capabilities, the partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation nuclear plants globally.
