The nuclear industry is experiencing a resurgence, driven in part by growing demand for clean energy. Constellation Energy’s decision to revive the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania is a significant development in this trend.
The plant, which shut down in 2019 due to economic pressures that made it uncompetitive with cheaper natural gas and renewables, is getting a second chance.
Constellation plans to bring the Unit 1 reactor back online in 2028, pending approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The company is investing $1.6 billion to restart the reactor — a testament to the growing recognition of nuclear power’s role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting increasing demand for electricity.
The deal is also a significant step forward for Microsoft, which has committed to powering its growing artificial intelligence operations with clean energy. The 20-year agreement with Constellation will provide 835 megawatts of clean electricity, enough to power a substantial chunk of Microsoft’s data center operations.