Nuclear power startup Kairos Power has secured US regulatory approval to construct two test reactors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, marking a crucial step toward fulfilling its recent agreement to power Google‘s (Nasdaq: GOOGL) data centers with 500 megawatts of electricity.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s decision follows Kairos’ October deal with Google. The test facility, which will connect to the local power grid, will serve as a prototype for the larger commercial project.
Each Hermes 2 test reactor will generate 35 megawatts of heat, connecting to a 20-megawatt turbine for electricity production. The design employs a fluoride-salt cooling system that operates at extremely high boiling points under low pressure, reducing risks associated with traditional water-cooled reactors. The fuel consists of uranium wrapped in carbon and ceramic shells, designed to contain radioactive material during potential accidents.
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The system can maintain cooling through passive convection if pumping systems fail, a safety feature that helps qualify it as a Generation IV reactor design.
Kairos, backed by a $303 million Department of Energy award, completed its regulatory journey in 18 months — notably faster than typical nuclear projects. The company cleared safety reviews in July and environmental assessments in August.
The test reactors will inform the development of Kairos’ commercial facility, which aims to house two larger units producing a combined 150 megawatts of electricity. The company plans to have its first reactor operational by 2030 to begin serving Google, with the full project completed by 2035.
Industry experts note that the decade-long timeline presents significant challenges, given the traditionally lengthy development cycles in nuclear power construction.
The project represents a new generation of small modular reactors (SMRs) designed to provide carbon-free power for industrial applications. If successful, it could establish a blueprint for powering energy-intensive facilities like data centers.
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