Three Mile Island is reopening and selling its power to Microsoft
Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant to Reopen, Powering Microsoft’s AI Ambitions #
Three Mile Island, the site of the worst nuclear disaster in the United States, is set to reopen. The power generated from the plant will be exclusively sold to Microsoft to fuel its AI-related energy needs.
The Unit 1 reactor, which closed five years ago, is expected to be revived in 2028, pending regulatory approval. This development marks a significant step in the tech industry’s search for reliable, carbon-free energy sources to power data centers supporting artificial intelligence.
The 20-year agreement between the energy provider and Microsoft is being hailed as the largest of its kind, though financial details remain undisclosed.
Nuclear energy is gaining attention from clean energy advocates and businesses as a source of zero-carbon power that can provide reliable baseload energy. Unlike wind and solar, nuclear power can operate continuously, day and night. However, environmental groups have long criticized nuclear energy due to concerns about waste management.
The reopening of Unit 1 is expected to create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs and add more than 800 megawatts of electricity to the grid. It’s also projected to contribute $16 billion to Pennsylvania’s GDP, where the plant is located.
Three Mile Island gained notoriety in 1979 when it experienced the most serious accident at a commercial nuclear power plant in US history, involving a partial meltdown of one of its two reactors. The Unit 2 reactor, which was involved in the incident, has remained closed since then.
The surge in energy demand is largely driven by tech giants’ growing AI operations, which require substantial power. Nuclear power, being carbon-free, helps these companies maintain their climate goals.
This move is supported by recent government initiatives, including tax credits for clean energy sources like nuclear, wind, solar, and clean hydrogen. The current administration has also invested billions to prevent the closure of old nuclear plants.
The reopening of Three Mile Island represents a significant development in the intersection of nuclear energy, technology, and environmental sustainability, reflecting the complex challenges and opportunities in meeting growing energy demands while addressing climate concerns.