ECNETNews Reports: Microsoft Partners with Three Mile Island Operator for Nuclear Energy Deal
A significant announcement has been made regarding the infamous Three Mile Island power plant, the site of the most catastrophic nuclear accident in American history. A unit at the facility is set to resume operations to supply power to Microsoft, addressing the soaring energy demands of its expanding data centres driven by the rise of artificial intelligence.
The operator of the plant, Constellation Energy, revealed on Friday that this 20-year agreement will see the restart of the Unit 1 reactor, which previously operated with high safety and reliability standards before its shutdown five years ago due to economic reasons.
Importantly, Unit 1 was not impacted by the 1979 partial meltdown incident; however, Unit 2, which has been offline since, will not be brought back online. This deal represents a historic first, as it marks the first restart of a nuclear power plant in the United States after being decommissioned.
The agreement signifies a response to the soaring demand from data-center operators, as demand for electricity continues to rise. Constellation plans to invest approximately $1.6 billion in refurbishing the facility, which is expected to generate 835 megawatts of energy specifically for Microsoft by 2028.
Despite the challenges anticipated in the restart process, there is a renewed interest in nuclear energy among tech companies, given its reliable and virtually carbon-free electricity source. Prominent tech figures have voiced their support for this clean energy solution, emphasizing its importance in meeting growing energy needs.
According to recent data from the Energy Information Administration, nuclear plants accounted for around 18.6% of the total electricity generated in the US last year. However, more than a dozen reactors have been shuttered in recent years due to competitive pressures from cheaper natural gas and renewable energy sources. As the demand for electricity rises from sectors including manufacturing, electric vehicles, and notably, data centres, the relevance of nuclear power is gaining newfound attention.
Constellation’s CEO has remarked that the current energy landscape serves as a vital reminder of the essential role nuclear assets will play in the country’s energy future.
This nuclear agreement aligns with Microsoft’s commitment to powering its extensive global data centre network with clean energy by 2025. The energy supplied from this initiative will directly contribute to data-centre expansions in regions including Chicago, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
While this development will significantly assist in Microsoft’s sustainability goals, it does not resolve all environmental concerns, particularly emissions associated with the materials required for data centre construction and operations, as noted by a Microsoft executive.
