$100 million nuclear reactor project to be tested in East Tennessee

Jul. 16—California-based Kairos Power and Tennessee officials on Friday unveiled plans for a low-power demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge.

The privately funded, advanced nuclear engineering company will invest $100 million and create 55 jobs to deploy the reactor at the East Tennessee Technology Park.

Called Hermes, Kairos Power's low-power demonstration reactor will show the company's capability to deliver low-cost nuclear heat and is scheduled to be operational in 2026, officials said.

The Hermes reactor is a scaled version of Kairos Power's Fluoride Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR), an advanced reactor technology that aims to be cost competitive with natural gas in the U.S. electricity market in order to provide carbon-free, affordable and safe energy.

"The opportunity to demonstrate Kairos Power's advanced nuclear technology in Tennessee is a major milestone on the path to a clean and affordable energy system in the United States," said Kairos Power CEO and co-founder Mike Laufer, in a statement.

Gov. Bill Lee said Oak Ridge "continues to lead the nation in groundbreaking technology, and we recognize Kairos Power for joining this effort."

TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash said that advanced nuclear technology plays a critical role in meeting electricity generation needs and carbon reduction goals in the next two decades.