Artificial intelligence breakthrough to reopen nuclear power plant

The energy demands of data centres are growing exponentially with artificial intelligence, whose training and execution consumes more energy than traditional algorithms, prompting technology companies to search for years for reliable, carbon-free energy sources to meet their sustainability goals. For example, due to the emergence of generative AI, Microsoft has been forced to reopen a nuclear power plant to meet its consumption.

The company has signed its largest power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy to reactivate the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, which has been closed since 2019. The goal is to supply, over 20 years, the 835 MW of carbon-free electricity needed to power its artificial intelligence data centres.

Constellation Energy will invest $1.6 billion to refurbish and modernise the plant to reactivate it in 2028 under its new name, ‘Crane Clean Energy Center’, in honour of the late Chris Crane, CEO of Exelon, Constellation's former parent company. The overhaul will include upgrades to turbines, generators, and cooling and control systems to ensure safe and efficient operation.

The company expects the reactivation of the plant to create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs, revitalising Pennsylvania's economy with a GDP contribution of $16 billion.

In this way, Microsoft is fulfilling its commitment to power its entire infrastructure with 100% carbon-free energy to address the climate crisis.