Constellation and Microsoft to Restart unit 1 in Three Mile Island
Constellation Energy has announced plans to restart unit 1 of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, which was shut down ahead of schedule in 2019 for economic reasons. The restart comes as part of a 20-year power purchase contract (PPA) with Microsoft, which aims to power its data centers using clean energy.
Constellation Energy is set to restart unit 1 of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant as part of a 20-year clean energy deal with Microsoft
Unit 1 of Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is equipped with a PWR reactor with 880 MWe of gross installed power. Constellation will request the Nuclear Regulatory Commission an operation authorization for unit 1 at least until 2054. In this new stage, the plant will have be revived under a new name: Crane Clean Energy Center.
This project will not only supply Microsoft with reliable, carbon-free power but also contribute significantly to its efforts to reach its decarbonization goals. For Microsoft, the move is another step towards its commitment to become carbon-negative by 2030. This contract signed with Constellation will ensure that the energy powering Microsoft’s vast data centers is clean, further supporting the company’s sustainability initiatives.
The rebranded Crane Clean Energy Center will supply carbon-free power to Microsoft’s data centers, helping the company achieve its sustainability goals
The Crane Clean Energy Center, expected to become operational in 2028, will significantly boost the region's clean energy capacity. Constellation sees this as a step toward providing long-term, carbon-free electricity to various industries. The project will also create thousands of jobs in the region, stimulating local economies and reinforcing the importance of nuclear energy in achieving climate targets.
The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and contribute to long-term clean energy solutions
Constellation’s move to restart the unit is a crucial step for the future of nuclear power in the U.S., particularly in light of recent efforts to expand clean energy sources and meet the goals of reducing CO2 emissions.
This is the second shut down reactor in the United States set to go back in operation in the next few years. In August of this year, it was announced that Holtec International will resume operation at the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan in August 2025, after its shutdown in 2022.
By reactivating Three Mile Island unit 1, Constellation sets a precedent for other decommissioned nuclear plants that could similarly contribute to the clean energy grid.
Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 is expected to be operational by 2028, significantly enhancing the region's clean energy capacity
Sources: WNN, NucNet
Cover image: Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. Photo: Exelon
