Fri Sep 20 13:47:32 UTC 2024: ## Microsoft to Power Up Three Mile Island, Reopening Nuclear Plant for Data Centers
**Harrisburg, PA** – In a major move towards sustainable energy, Microsoft and Constellation Energy have announced a deal to reopen the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. The agreement will see Microsoft purchase the plant’s entire 835 megawatts of energy generation, enough to power 800,000 homes, for 20 years starting in 2028.
The plant, to be renamed Crane Clean Energy Center, will be revitalized with a $1.6 billion investment, including upgrades to turbines and cooling systems. Federal subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act will also contribute to the reopening. This agreement marks a significant step in Microsoft’s commitment to carbon neutrality.
The deal comes at a time when the tech industry is grappling with the energy demands of data centers, which power AI models, cloud computing, and streaming services. Data center power needs are projected to grow dramatically in the coming years, reaching between 620 and 1,050 TWh by 2026.
Constellation CEO Joseph Dominguez emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for the future of AI and data centers, stating, “The energy industry cannot be the reason China or Russia beats us in AI… This plant never should have been allowed to shut down.”
While nuclear power remains controversial due to historical accidents and the challenge of managing nuclear waste, it offers a carbon-free energy source with a smaller environmental impact than fossil fuels. This deal highlights the growing interest in nuclear power as a clean energy solution for a rapidly expanding tech industry.
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