Microsoft has recently reached an agreement with Constellation Energy Corporation, the owner of the Three Mile Island nuclear site, to revive the Pennsylvania facility as part of the tech company's quest for sustainable energy sources to power its artificial intelligence operations. This partnership involves a 20-year deal that will see the restoration of the Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor, which will be transformed into the "Crane Clean Energy Center" to provide Microsoft with carbon-free energy.

As part of the agreement, Constellation Energy is set to deliver 835 megawatts of power to Microsoft, investing around $1.6 billion to prepare the facility for operations. The goal is to bring the Crane Clean Energy Center online by 2028, pending approvals from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, state authorities, and local officials. This initiative aligns with Microsoft's commitment to operating its AI data centers with clean energy solutions, demonstrating its dedication to sustainability in its operations.

The decision to reopen the Three-Mile Island nuclear site comes amidst a burgeoning need for energy infrastructure dedicated to supporting the growth of artificial intelligence technologies. Recent discussions at the White House involving industry leaders from major tech companies highlighted the significance of expanding energy capabilities to cater to the increasing power demands of AI data centers. Phil Harvey, CEO of Sabre56 and an expert in data center construction, emphasised that establishing and operating an AI data center requires substantial investment, ranging between $3 million to $5 million per megawatt.

Former President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the importance of enhancing energy infrastructure to accommodate the requirements of artificial intelligence data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. With a long history marred by a notable incident in 1979 when a partial nuclear meltdown occurred at the Three-Mile Island facility, the prospect of reopening the site for a new clean energy venture marks a significant shift towards leveraging technology for sustainable energy practices.