Re-opened Three Mile Island will power AI data centers under new deal

Microsoft has entered into a deal with Constellation Energy to re-open the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, allowing Microsoft to purchase the plant's entire energy output of approximately 835 megawatts for 20 years starting in 2028, pending regulatory approval. The plant, which will be renamed Crane Clean Energy Center, is expected to provide power to local interconnections rather than directly to Microsoft facilities. This initiative aligns with Microsoft's efforts to secure new energy sources for its data centers, which are increasingly reliant on power for AI and cloud computing. Constellation plans to invest $1.6 billion in revitalizing the plant, which has been closed since 2019 due to economic issues. The re-opening is part of a broader trend of reviving shuttered nuclear facilities, with the nuclear industry facing challenges related to safety, waste management, and cleanup costs. Microsoft aims to decarbonize its energy sources, and the deal reflects a growing demand for energy in the tech sector, particularly as data centers are projected to require significantly more power in the coming years.

- Microsoft will purchase all power from the re-opened Three Mile Island plant for 20 years.

- The plant will be renamed Crane Clean Energy Center and is expected to provide enough energy for approximately 800,000 homes.

- Constellation Energy plans to invest $1.6 billion to revitalize the plant.

- The deal is part of a trend to revive shuttered nuclear plants to meet rising energy demands.

- Microsoft aims to decarbonize its energy sources in support of its carbon-negative commitment.