Microsoft and Constellation Energy have announced a partnership that will see Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear plant restarted to provide clean energy to power Microsoft’s data centers as the company expands its artificial intelligence operations. Constellation Energy shut down Unit 1 in 2019 due to losses, while Unit 2 was closed following the 1979 partial core meltdown. The restarting of Unit 1 will add 800 megawatts to the grid, exceeding the power supplied by the Hoover Dam. Reviving nuclear facilities like Three Mile Island is seen as a way to meet the growing energy demands of data centers for AI applications. Microsoft sees the agreement as a step towards achieving its commitment to become carbon negative. The company recently announced a $100 billion initiative with BlackRock to develop more data centers for AI. Despite ongoing debate over the impact of AI, companies around the world view it as a significant business opportunity. Microsoft’s CEO has compared the current AI landscape to the Industrial Revolution, expressing confidence in its long-term growth potential. The partnership between Microsoft and Constellation Energy is seen as a forward-thinking move towards meeting energy demands while reducing carbon emissions.
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