Entering non-light-water SMR market

About $70 million investment under consideration

A rendering of Kairos Power's Hermes SMR demonstration reactor. [Samsung C&T]
A rendering of Kairos Power's Hermes SMR demonstration reactor. [Samsung C&T]

Samsung C&T's construction division is moving to accelerate its push into the next-generation small modular reactor market.

Samsung C&T announced Tuesday that it will sign a strategic MOU with US-based SMR developer Kairos Power on Wednesday to advance the demonstration and commercialization of next-generation SMR projects.

Senior executives from both companies will attend the signing ceremony, including Kairos Power CEO Mike Laufer and Lee Chang-wook, head of Samsung C&T's Energy Solutions division.

Samsung C&T has built a foundation in light-water SMR projects primarily in European markets such as Sweden and Romania. The new agreement with Kairos Power marks the company's expansion into non-light-water SMRs, a technology widely regarded as the next generation of nuclear power.

Founded in 2016, Kairos Power is a leading US developer of next-generation reactors, pioneering the market for molten-salt-cooled reactor technology based on its proprietary designs. Molten salt is a material produced by melting solid salt at high temperatures until it becomes liquid.

Under the agreement, Samsung C&T will participate in key tasks — including design review and constructability assessment — for the Hermes demonstration reactor that Kairos Power is building in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with support from the US Department of Energy.

Samsung C&T will also secure preferential rights to carry out engineering, procurement and construction work on commercial reactors that Kairos Power plans to build in the United States.

The two companies agreed to expand their cooperation into global nuclear markets including South Korea, Southeast Asia and Europe. Samsung C&T said it is also considering building a long-term partnership through an investment of approximately $70 million.

"This agreement will serve as an important milestone in leading the next-generation nuclear power market," Lee said. "Through close collaboration with Kairos Power, we plan to not only successfully execute the SMR demonstration project but also create diverse business opportunities in the global commercial market."


hss@heraldcorp.com