Microsoft Requires A US Nuclear Facility At A Contentious Location To Supply Its AI Energy

The resurgence of interest in nuclear energy is fueled by the soaring need for computing power to support the revolutionary advancements in generative artificial intelligence technology. 

This higher demand is now driving the decision to bring back online a previously inactive nuclear plant situated at the location where a historical partial meltdown had occurred. Specifically, the defunct nuclear facility at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, USA, is in the process of being reactivated with the purpose of supplying the necessary energy for Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI-driven data center operations.

The nuclear plant is expected to restart operations by 2028

The highly anticipated restarting of the nuclear plant is now projected to occur in 2028, in alignment with the mutually beneficial 20-year partnership forged between technology behemoth Microsoft and Constellation Energy. 

This ambitious arrangement is set to bolster the power supply with an additional 800 megawatts of electricity solely dedicated to fueling the operations of Microsoft, thus propelling economic growth by creating an estimated 3,400 job opportunities. 

However, the finalization of this groundbreaking nuclear energy deal hinges on obtaining the crucial approval of the country’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a pivotal step towards advancing sustainable energy solutions.

“This agreement is a major milestone”

Unit 1, a nuclear reactor, is being reactivated. It was shut down in 2019 for financial concerns. In 1979, a malfunction in the second unit at Three Mile Island caused partial damage to the reactor core.

Bobby Hollis, the vice president of energy at Microsoft said “This agreement is a major milestone in Microsoft’s efforts to help decarbonise the grid in support of our commitment to become carbon negative […] Microsoft continues to collaborate with energy providers to develop carbon-free energy sources to help meet the grids’ capacity and reliability needs,”

Microsoft’s newest sustainability report revealed a 30% increase in carbon emissions between 2020 and 2023, prompting the company to launch these new initiatives.

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