In a strategic move to address the ever-increasing energy demands of its data centers running AI technology, Microsoft has inked a significant deal with nuclear plant operator Constellation Energy. The agreement involves purchasing power for its data centers from Constellation Energy's Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear plant. This plant is set to be revived with a $1.6 billion investment by 2028, pending regulatory approval.

Constellation Energy plans to revive the Unit 1 nuclear plant, located adjacent to the infamous TMI-Unit 2 that experienced a meltdown in 1979. The revived plant, named the Crane Clean Energy Center (CCEC), after Constellation's former CEO Chris Crane, promises a capacity of 835 megawatts once operational. Microsoft has committed to purchasing all power from the reactor over the next two decades, which aligns with its goal to run data centers entirely on green energy by 2030.

The move towards nuclear energy by tech giants like Microsoft comes as the demand for clean electricity intensifies. Notably, other tech companies such as OpenAI and Amazon have also turned to nuclear power to fuel their AI data centers. This shift is part of a broader industry trend where companies are increasingly focusing on green energy sources to power various operations and mitigate their environmental impact.

With the resurgence of interest in nuclear power, particularly in the form of advanced nuclear fusion startups, there is growing optimism regarding a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. These developments hold the promise of not only meeting the energy demands of modern technologies like AI but also driving innovation towards greener and more efficient energy solutions.