TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is expected to restart operations as early as 2027, a year ahead of its initially planned reopening date of 2028. Notably, only Unit 1 of the plant will be restarted, as it was not involved in the 1979 meltdown that affected Unit 2. While Unit 1 remained operational following the incident, it was eventually shut down in 2019 due to economic reasons. This time around, the plant is set to be operated by Microsoft, following a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Constellation Energy in September 2024. Microsoft's interest in the nuclear plant stems from its increasing energy consumption and surging demands, largely driven by its power-hungry AI data centers. Other hyperscalers, including Meta, AWS, and Oracle, have also invested heavily in nuclear energy to meet their growing energy demands. For instance, Meta recently signed a 20-year deal for Illinois' Clinton nuclear plant, while AWS invested $650 million in nuclear-powered data centers near the Susquehanna plant in Pennsylvania. According to Reuters, water systems have now been restored to the site, and infrastructure inspections have been completed. The site is currently awaiting grid connection approval from the regional grid operator, with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission set to inspect the site as soon as next month. Microsoft's decision to reopen a closed nuclear site marks a first for the industry, highlighting the pressing need to produce more energy. The surge in nuclear plants is also driven by record-high US electricity demand, which is placing a significant strain on the energy sector.