Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Reboots: Microsoft’s 20-Year Deal Sparks Nuclear Renaissance

Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant to Restart After 20-Year Deal with Microsoft

The owner of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant has announced plans to restart its reactor following a 20-year agreement with Microsoft to supply carbon-free energy for data centers. Constellation Energy’s decision comes five years after the plant’s shutdown due to financial losses and Pennsylvania lawmakers’ refusal to provide a bailout.

This move signals a potential renaissance for nuclear power as policymakers increasingly look to it as a reliable energy source to combat climate change and meet rising power demands. Three Mile Island, notably the site of the worst U.S. commercial nuclear accident in 1979, is now poised for a comeback.

Microsoft’s commitment to purchase power from the plant aligns with its goal to become “carbon negative” by 2030. Constellation aims to bring Unit 1 online by 2028 and extend the plant’s operation until at least 2054.

The restart faces regulatory hurdles, requiring approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and various state and local permits. Significant investments, estimated in the billions of dollars, will be necessary for restoration.

Jacopo Buongiorno, an MIT professor, highlighted the importance of assessing the plant’s components and systems to determine the feasibility and cost of the restart. He drew comparisons to the recent restart of Michigan’s Palisades nuclear power plant.

The agreement is seen as mutually beneficial for Constellation and Microsoft, with experts noting that restarting an existing plant is more cost-effective than building a new one. The presence of existing infrastructure, such as transmission lines and cooling towers, adds to the project’s viability.

This development comes amid a broader context of coal-fired and nuclear plant shutdowns over the past decade, raising concerns about electric reliability in the U.S. The rising demand for electricity from data centers, particularly in Virginia and Texas, is a driving factor. Data centers currently account for about 4% of U.S. electricity use, with projections suggesting this could double by 2030.

The Biden administration, along with states and utilities, is reconsidering nuclear power as part of efforts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This shift is exemplified by recent developments such as Georgia Power’s new nuclear reactor.

Before its shutdown, Three Mile Island Unit 1 had a generating capacity of 819 megawatts. The sealed and highly radioactive Unit 2 remains on site, a reminder of the plant’s complex history.

As Three Mile Island prepares for its potential rebirth, the energy industry watches closely, anticipating the impact on the future energy landscape.