Microsoft Partners with Constellation Energy to Restart Three Mile Island Nuclear Reactor for AI Power

The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is seen in the early morning hours in March 2011. (Jeff Fusco/Getty Images / Getty Images)

In a groundbreaking partnership, Microsoft has entered into a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy Corporation to power its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers with carbon-free energy. The collaboration will pave the way for the restart of Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear reactor, a site known for its 1979 partial meltdown. This revival, under the new banner of the Crane Clean Energy Center, will support Microsoft’s goal to match its data center power usage with clean energy sources.

The Three Mile Island Restart Plan

Constellation Energy, based in Baltimore, announced the plan on the five-year anniversary of the Unit 1 shutdown, which had originally been closed due to economic reasons. The company aims to restart the reactor by 2028, subject to regulatory approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The agreement with Microsoft will be integral in providing the tech giant’s data centers with a steady supply of carbon-free energy, supporting its sustainability initiatives.

“Powering industries critical to our nation’s global economic and technological competitiveness, including data centers, requires an abundance of energy that is carbon-free and reliable every hour of every day, and nuclear plants are the only energy sources that can consistently deliver on that promise,” said Joe Dominguez, President and CEO of Constellation Energy.

Microsoft's Carbon-Free Energy Commitment

Microsoft’s collaboration with Constellation is part of its larger effort to become carbon-negative by 2030. Under the agreement, Microsoft will purchase energy from the Crane Clean Energy Center, enabling it to power its AI-driven data centers while reducing its carbon footprint.

“This agreement is a major milestone in Microsoft's efforts to help decarbonize the grid in support of our commitment to become carbon negative,” said Bobby Hollis, Microsoft’s vice president of energy.

With the resurgence of Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 reactor, Microsoft is taking a pivotal step towards ensuring that its data operations are powered by reliable and sustainable energy sources.

Historical Significance of Three Mile Island

Three Mile Island gained national attention in 1979 after a partial meltdown in its Unit 2 reactor. The event led to mass evacuations, though the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has stated that no detectable health effects were observed. Unit 2 has since been decommissioned, while Unit 1, which operated safely for decades, remained fully independent and unaffected by the Unit 2 incident.

The renewed Crane Clean Energy Center at Unit 1 is expected to bolster Pennsylvania's clean energy capabilities, adding over 800 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the grid.

Economic and Environmental Impact

Restarting the Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor is expected to have significant economic and environmental benefits for Pennsylvania. A study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council estimates that the project will create 3,400 jobs and contribute $16 billion to the state’s GDP. Additionally, the nuclear facility will provide a substantial boost to the region's clean energy output.

The Crane Clean Energy Center's restart aligns with broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions while creating economic opportunities. Nuclear energy, as a reliable and consistent carbon-free energy source, will play a crucial role in powering not only AI technologies but also Pennsylvania's future energy needs.

A New Chapter for Three Mile Island

Microsoft’s partnership with Constellation Energy represents a significant step toward decarbonizing energy consumption in the tech industry. By restarting the Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor, the companies aim to set a precedent for powering AI data centers and other technological advancements with carbon-free energy. As the project progresses, it will not only benefit the environment but also drive economic growth in Pennsylvania.