Microsoft deal would reopen Pennsylvania nuclear plant, site of 1979 partial meltdown, to power AI

Published On Sep 20, 2024, 9:20 AM

Microsoft has entered a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy Corporation to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, which was previously shut down following a partial meltdown in 1979. Under this deal, Microsoft will purchase energy from the plant to power its data centers, aligning with its goal of using carbon-free energy. The initiative, named the Crane Clean Energy Center, aims to add over 800 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the grid, create approximately 3,400 jobs, and potentially boost Pennsylvania's GDP by $16 billion. The plant is expected to operate until at least 2054, pending regulatory approvals and significant restoration investments.