Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant to Restart in Power Deal with Microsoft

In a landmark agreement, the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, the site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history, is set to restart operations, marking a significant shift in the American energy landscape. Constellation Energy announced on Friday that the Unit 1 reactor will be reactivated as part of a 20-year deal to sell carbon-free electricity to Microsoft, aligning with the tech giant’s sustainability goals.

Unit 1 Reactor Restart

The deal involves restarting the Unit 1 reactor, which was operational for decades with a strong safety and reliability record before being decommissioned five years ago for economic reasons. Constellation emphasized that significant investments are being made to update critical components, including the turbine, generator, cooling systems, control systems, and the main power transformer, ensuring the reactor’s efficiency and safety once operational.

The reactor is expected to come online by 2028, contingent on U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval. Through this agreement, Microsoft will utilize the energy produced by Three Mile Island to power its data centers with clean, carbon-free electricity, part of its broader goal to match its energy consumption with renewable sources.

Economic and Environmental Impact

According to an economic impact study by the Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council, the plant’s reopening will generate substantial financial benefits. The project is expected to create approximately 3,400 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting the local economy. The plant will also contribute up to 837 megawatts of carbon-free electricity to the power grid, enough to supply energy to over 800,000 average homes.

Financially, the restart is projected to add $16 billion to Pennsylvania’s GDP while generating more than $3 billion in state and federal taxes, underscoring its substantial economic potential.

Unit 1 and the Legacy of the 1979 Accident

Significantly, the Unit 1 reactor was not involved in the infamous 1979 partial meltdown at Three Mile Island, which profoundly impacted the nuclear energy industry in the U.S. and worldwide. With restoration efforts now underway, Constellation Energy is taking extra precautions to ensure the reactor meets modern safety standards and operates efficiently for decades to come.

Crane Clean Energy Center

In honor of the late Chris Crane, former CEO of Constellation Energy, who passed away in April, the plant will be renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center. This renaming serves as a tribute and symbolizes a new era for the facility, which will now be at the forefront of clean energy production in the U.S.

The partnership between Constellation Energy and Microsoft represents a significant step in America’s transition to cleaner energy sources. It also breathes new life into a historic nuclear facility that has long been synonymous with the nuclear debate in the U.S.