Kairos Power, a nuclear startup, has landed a significant deal with engineering firm Samsung C&T to build its 50-megawatt demonstration reactor for Google, aiming to complete it by 2030. As part of the agreement, Samsung C&T will invest $70 million and provide engineering services worth up to $100 million. This collaboration is part of a broader trend where nuclear startups are capitalizing on the increased power needs of AI data centers. In 2024, Google first engaged with Kairos, calling for reactors capable of generating half a gigawatt by 2035.

The demonstration reactor, Hermes 1, is already under construction in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, serving as a low-power demonstrator to refine the commercial design. The first commercial-scale reactor, Hermes 2, is scheduled to begin operations in 2030, adhering to the initial agreement. Kairos’ reactors, which use fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature technology, are designed to be safer with high boiling points to prevent pressure blowouts. Additionally, they employ TRISO fuel, which encapsulates uranium in ceramic and carbon layers, reducing the risk of meltdowns.

With a tight timeline, Kairos has five years to get its first power plant up and running, an accelerated but manageable pace in the nuclear industry. Samsung C&T's support may help Kairos meet the terms of its deal with Google, accelerating the development of subsequent reactors.