Microsoft assina acordo para reviver reator nuclear Three Mile Island para alimentar data centers.

# Microsoft signs 20-year deal to restart nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island


Tech giant Microsoft has made a significant move in its efforts to secure clean energy sources by signing a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with clean energy company Constellation. The agreement aims to restart a nuclear reactor at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island, a facility that gained notoriety after a partial meltdown in 1979. The reactor, known as TMI Unit 1, will be rebranded as the Crane Clean Energy Center and is expected to become operational by 2028. This move comes as Microsoft works to meet its carbon reduction targets and supports the company’s commitment to becoming carbon negative by 2030.

## A Win for Pennsylvania’s Economy and the Clean Energy Transition

Constellation CEO Joseph Dominguez expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating that it is not only beneficial for Pennsylvania’s economy but also a significant achievement for Microsoft’s efforts in decarbonizing the grid. He emphasized that the reactor being restarted is one of the safest and most reliable power generators in the US. The restart of the nuclear facility aligns with Microsoft’s dedication to adding carbon-free electricity and capacity to the grids in which it operates.

## Increasing Power Demand to Support AI and Data Centers

As Microsoft continues to expand its construction of power-hungry data centers to support the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, the demand for power is on the rise. This has led the company to actively explore various clean energy sources to meet its energy requirements. Microsoft is looking into nuclear, wind, and solar power, as well as improvements to the grid. It is also considering emerging technologies like fusion, sustainable biomass, and batteries.

## Amazon’s Clean Energy Portfolio Expansion

Microsoft isn’t the only tech company striving to bolster its clean energy portfolio. Amazon Web Services has also been making efforts to support its data center growth with clean energy. Amazon recently invested $650 million in a data center in Pennsylvania that is connected to the nation’s sixth-largest nuclear power plant. This move allows Amazon to obtain up to 960 megawatts of carbon-free energy for its operations. However, despite these investments, tech companies are still reliant on coal and natural gas as energy sources for their data centers.

## Securing Clean Energy for a Sustainable Future

With the surge in AI usage, tech companies are racing to secure clean energy sources to not only support their operations but also to achieve their climate goals. Microsoft’s decision to restart the nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island is a bold step towards meeting its carbon reduction targets. By diversifying its energy sources and embracing a multi-technology approach, Microsoft aims to achieve its goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030. This move sets an important precedent for other tech companies to follow as they work towards a sustainable future.

*Tags: Microsoft, Three Mile Island, clean energy, nuclear reactor, carbon reduction, sustainable future, data center, AI, artificial intelligence, carbon-free energy, Pennsylvania.*