Three-Mile Island’s Unit 1 nuclear reactor is to restart following a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft to provide carbon-free energy for its data centers
Plant operator Constellation, the biggest producer of carbon-free energy in the US, said the deal will see Unit 1 restored as the Crane Clean Energy Center (CCEC) five years after it was shut down for economic reasons.
An impact study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council forecast that the CCEC will add 835 megawatts of carbon-free energy to the grid, create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs, add $16bn to state GDP and deliver more than $3bn in state and federal taxes.
Under the agreement, Microsoft will purchase energy from the renewed plant as part of its goal of its goal to help match the power its data centers in PJM use with carbon-free energy.
Extending plant operations to 2054
The Unit 1 reactor is located adjacent to TMI Unit 2, which was shut down in 1979 following the worst accident in US commercial nuclear power plant history. Unit 2 is in the process of being decommissioned by its own, Energy Solutions.
TMI Unit 1 is a fully independent facility and its long-term operation was not impacted by the Unit 2 accident, Constellation said.
To prepared for the restart, there will be significant investment to restore the plant, including the turbine, generator, main power transformer and cooling and control systems.
Restarting a nuclear reactor requires approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission following a comprehensive safety and environmental review, as well as permits from relevant state and local agencies.
Through a separate request, Constellation will pursue license renewal that will extend plant operations to at least 2054. The CCEC is expected to be online in 2028.
‘Nuclear vital for reliable, carbon-free energy’
Joe Dominguez, president and CEO, Constellation, said: “Powering industries critical to our nation’s global economic and technological competitiveness, including data centers, requires an abundance of energy that is carbon-free and reliable every hour of every day, and nuclear plants are the only energy sources that can consistently deliver on that promise.
“Before it was prematurely shuttered due to poor economics, this plant was among the safest and most reliable nuclear plants on the grid, and we look forward to bringing it back with a new name and a renewed mission to serve as an economic engine for Pennsylvania. We are especially honored to name this new plant after our former CEO Chris Crane, who was a fierce advocate for our business, devoting his entire career to the safe, reliable operation of our nation’s nuclear fleet, and we will continue that legacy at the Crane Clean Energy Center.”
As part of the project, Constellation has committed an additional $1m in philanthropic giving to the region over the next five years to support workforce development and other community needs.
“The CCEC will support thousands of family-sustaining jobs for decades to come,” said Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council.
“It will help make Pennsylvania a leader in attracting and retaining the types of reliable, clean energy jobs that will define the future.”
“Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy industry plays a critical role in providing safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity that helps reduce emissions and grow Pennsylvania’s economy,” said governor Josh Shapiro.
“Under the careful watch of state and federal authorities, the Crane Clean Energy Center will safely utilize existing infrastructure to sustain and expand nuclear power in the Commonwealth while creating thousands of energy jobs and strengthening Pennsylvania’s legacy as a national energy leader.”
