Samsung C&T Invests $70 Million in U.S. SMR, Secures Priority for Commercial Reactor EPC

Strategic Partnership with Kairos Power
Expanding into Next-Generation Nuclear Power in the U.S. after Europe

Samsung C&T Corporation is expanding its role in the nuclear power plant industry from that of a 'constructor,' responsible for executing construction projects, to an 'investment developer,' engaging from the earliest stages and providing capital. The company is pursuing an investment of approximately $70 million (about KRW 95 billion) in Kairos Power, a U.S.-based next-generation small modular reactor (SMR) company. In addition, Samsung C&T will participate in the demonstration reactor project and has secured preferential rights to perform subsequent design, procurement, and construction (EPC) work for future commercial reactors.

Perspective view of Kairos Power SMR (Hermes demonstration reactor). Samsung C&T Corporation

On September 22, Samsung C&T Corporation announced that on the following day, it will sign a strategic agreement with Kairos Power in the United States to promote next-generation SMR demonstration and commercialization. The signing ceremony will be held in conjunction with a JP Morgan event during 'Climate Week NYC' in New York.

SMRs are nuclear reactors that have been downsized compared to conventional large-scale nuclear plants, which increases their safety. Unlike traditional reactors cooled with water, Kairos Power uses molten salt—a liquid-state salt at high temperatures—as the coolant. Water-cooled reactors must maintain high pressure to prevent boiling, but salt has a higher boiling point and allows the reactor to operate at lower pressures. This reduces the burden of high-pressure systems and leads to improved safety and efficiency.

Kairos Power, currently supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, is building the Hermes demonstration reactor in Tennessee. Among non-light-water reactors that do not use water as coolant, this is the first in around 50 years to receive construction approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The target date for commercial operation is 2031.

Through the newly signed agreement, Samsung C&T will participate in the design and constructability review of the Hermes demonstration reactor. The company has also secured the right of first refusal to design and construct Kairos Power’s commercial reactors in the United States. An additional investment of about $70 million is also planned. The two companies intend to jointly pursue new nuclear power ventures in South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Samsung C&T has previously partnered with U.S.-based NuScale and others to promote light-water SMR projects, focusing mainly on Romania and Sweden. This new collaboration extends the company’s business scope to next-generation non-light-water nuclear reactors in the U.S. Moving forward, Samsung C&T aims to build a diversified portfolio through partnerships with multiple SMR technology providers and to expand its scope beyond EPC to include investment development and plant operation.

Changwook Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Energy Solutions at Samsung C&T Corporation, stated, "This agreement will serve as an important milestone in leading the next-generation nuclear power market." He added, "Through close cooperation with Kairos Power, we will not only ensure the successful execution of SMR demonstration projects, but also create a variety of business opportunities in the global commercial market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.