OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Kairos Power has begun construction on its Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant, marking a significant milestone for next-generation nuclear energy and construction delivery in the United States.
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The project is the company’s first commercial-scale reactor and the first power-producing Generation IV reactor to receive a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Hermes 2 is part of a broader agreement with Google to deploy an advanced reactor fleet. The facility is expected to generate up to 50 megawatts of carbon-free electricity for the Tennessee Valley Authority grid, supporting efforts to decarbonize energy-intensive data center operations across the region.
The project builds on lessons learned from Hermes 1, a low-power demonstration reactor currently under construction at the same Oak Ridge campus. Together, the projects represent a phased approach to scaling advanced nuclear technology while reducing construction risk and cost.
General contractor Barnard Construction Company is overseeing construction for both Hermes units. The Hermes 2 project incorporates modular construction techniques, including precast concrete components and a seismically isolated foundation, aimed at reducing build timelines and improving cost efficiency.
Kairos Power plans to fabricate key reactor modules at its manufacturing campus in New Mexico before transporting them to Tennessee for final assembly. The approach mirrors trends in industrialized construction and small modular reactor (SMR) deployment, emphasizing repeatable design and factory-based production.
The reactor will utilize fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature technology, integrating TRISO particle fuel and molten salt coolant to enhance safety and simplify plant design. The facility is being built on the site of a former uranium enrichment complex that has been remediated for redevelopment.
“For nuclear projects to be successful, we need more than just the right technology. We need to understand every aspect of project delivery. Hermes 2 is where that all comes together,” said Mike Laufer, CEO and co-founder of Kairos Power. “Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is our hub for nuclear construction and operations. We're training a real workforce to do nuclear construction, learning from the Hermes 1 experience, and translating that knowledge to the Hermes 2 project next door.”
In addition to advancing reactor technology, the project is expected to support workforce development and regional economic growth, with stakeholders highlighting its long-term impact on the energy and construction sectors.
“We're excited to start construction on Hermes 2. It represents a major inflection point for the company,” said Edward Blandford, chief technology officer and co-founder of Kairos Power. “Hermes 2 culminates all of the lessons learned from Kairos Power's iterative hardware demonstration program. It's our first power-producing plant, the first delivery under our master plant development agreement with Google, and a long-term commitment to the Oak Ridge community.”
Federal officials also emphasized the project’s economic and workforce benefits.
“Kairos Power has made significant investments in this community and is creating high-quality jobs that will support families and strengthen the regional economy,” said U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann. “Their commitment to workforce development and partnerships with our universities, community colleges, and national laboratories is helping build the talent pipeline necessary for long-term success.”
Energy leaders pointed to the broader implications for U.S. power infrastructure.
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“Kairos Power represents a decisive step forward for America’s nuclear leadership,” said Matt Rasmussen, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer at the Tennessee Valley Authority. “With Hermes 2 moving into construction, we’re demonstrating how advanced nuclear will strengthen our nation’s energy dominance by delivering affordable, reliable power at scale.”
Technology partners also see the project as key to addressing rising electricity demand from digital infrastructure.
“The groundbreaking of Hermes 2 is a major leap forward in our efforts to accelerate the commercialization of affordable, carbon-free energy,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, global head of data center energy at Google. “By pioneering a standardized, repeatable design, Kairos Power is addressing the historical challenges of nuclear construction costs.”
Hermes 2 is expected to further validate modular nuclear construction methods and help establish a scalable model for future advanced reactor deployment across the United States.
Originally reported by GlobeNewswire in Markets. Business Insider.
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