Big tech has led to a sudden surge in U.S. electricity demand for data- centers needed to expand technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Nuclear energy, which is nearly carbon-free and broadly considered more reliable than energy sources like solar and wind, has become a popular option for technology company's with uninterrupted power needs and climate pledges.
"Nuclear plants are the only energy sources that can consistently deliver on that promise," Constellation Chief Executive Officer Joe Dominguez said in a statement. Under the Constellation-Microsoft deal, Microsoft will purchase energy from the restarted plant for a period of 20 years. The Three Mile Island unit will provide 835 megawatts of energy to the tech giant.
A restart is expected to be challenging, but as power demand spikes, the virtually carbon-free electricity source is seeing renewed support from tech companies.
"This agreement is a major milestone in Microsoft's efforts to help decarbonize the grid in support of our commitment to become carbon negative," Bobby Hollis, vice president of energy at Microsoft, said in a statement.