Kairos Power Advances Nuclear Reactor Development in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Kairos Power officially began construction of its Hermes 2 reactor demonstration plant in April 2024, with expectations to start power generation by 2030. The reactor will utilize innovative construction techniques aimed at expediting timelines and reducing costs, an approach that may set a new standard in nuclear power development.

The facility is strategically located on the former K-33 gaseous diffusion plant site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and will include fluoride salt-cooled reactors, including the Hermes model, which received its construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in late 2023. The construction strategy emphasizes vertical integration, allowing Kairos to manage key components internally, thereby minimizing risks associated with traditional supply chains.

The Department of Energy's past analyses highlighted construction as a significant cost driver in nuclear projects; thus, Kairos's focus on in-house production aims to mitigate these escalating expenses. The completion of the Oak Ridge campus, which will include the two Hermes plants and supporting infrastructure, is projected for 2030. However, the success of this ambitious project hinges on Kairos's ability to prove that new nuclear technologies can deliver power affordably.