Microsoft to Source Energy from Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant for Data Centers

In a significant move toward sustainability, Microsoft pledged in 2020 to achieve carbon-negative status for its energy needs by 2030. In line with this commitment, the company recently announced a strategic partnership with Constellation Energy to access power generated from the historic Three Mile Island nuclear energy facility.

According to a press release, Constellation Energy has formalized a 20-year agreement with Microsoft to procure and utilize energy produced by Three Mile Island Unit 1. This partnership will facilitate the supply of carbon-free energy to numerous Microsoft data centers.

Three Mile Island, located in Londonderry, Pennsylvania, is notorious for the partial meltdown of Unit 2 in 1979, an event that released radioactive gases and is considered the most significant nuclear accident in U.S. history.

Following the incident, Three Mile Island Unit 2 has been permanently decommissioned; however, Unit 1 remained operational until 2019, when its previous owner ceased operations due to financial losses. In 2022, Constellation Energy acquired Three Mile Island Unit 1, setting the stage for their collaboration with Microsoft.

Constellation Energy is now focused on revitalizing the systems at Three Mile Island Unit 1, with plans to bring the facility back online around 2028. When operational, the plant is expected to generate 835 megawatts of energy dedicated to supporting Microsoft’s data centers. This initiative is anticipated to create approximately 3,400 jobs, both directly and indirectly, boosting the local economy.

Bobby Hollis, Microsoft’s Vice President of Energy, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating:

This agreement is a significant milestone in Microsoft’s efforts to support grid decarbonization and fulfills our pledge to become carbon negative. Microsoft persistently collaborates with energy providers to promote the development of carbon-free energy solutions that meet the grid’s capacity and reliability requirements.

The specific financial details of the agreement between Microsoft and Constellation Energy have not been disclosed.

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