Early Progress Fuels Optimism
Constellation Energy Corporation has announced an accelerated timeline for the restart of Three Mile Island Unit 1, with operations now targeted for 2027, instead of the initial 2028 projection. This positive development comes as revival work on the shuttered reactor progresses more rapidly than anticipated. The company has already brought on board over 200 full-time employees and successfully completed significant milestones, including the restoration of the main office building and upgrades to the training center.
Dave Marcheskie, the facility's community relations manager, confirmed that the project is moving "ahead of schedule." Constellation expects the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to finalize its comprehensive safety and environmental review by 2027. The extensive restart process mandates thousands of inspections and equipment upgrades. Notable planned improvements include the replacement of the main transformer and the installation of three new main power transformers, slated for delivery in 2026.
Microsoft Deal Powers Revival
The revival of Unit 1 is largely underpinned by a landmark 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft, announced in September 2024. Under this agreement, the tech giant will procure electricity from the plant to meet the escalating energy demands of its data centers, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing operations.Dave Marcheskie
"We've seen an increase in demand in energy with a lot of these tech companies," Marcheskie stated, highlighting the critical role nuclear energy can play in meeting this demand. Once operational, the plant is expected to generate 835 megawatts of electricity, a capacity sufficient to power all homes in Philadelphia.
Constellation plans to invest $1.6 billion into the project, utilizing its own financing rather than seeking government support. An independent economic impact study estimates that the restart will generate 3,400 direct and indirect jobs and contribute an impressive $16 billion to Pennsylvania's Gross Domestic Product.
Legacy of 1979 Weighs on Restart
Unit 1 was deactivated in 2019 for economic reasons and is distinct from Unit 2, which experienced a partial meltdown on March 28, 1979. The 1979 incident, though it released radioactive gases, resulted in no reported deaths or injuries, as confirmed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Despite the Unit 1's strong operational record, environmental organizations, such as Three Mile Island Alert, have voiced concerns regarding the restart. However, Marcheskie underscored Unit 1's historical safety performance, noting that it "was one of the best-performing plants in the country" prior to its closure.
Should the restart proceed as planned, Three Mile Island would become only the second U.S. nuclear plant to resume operations after an economic shutdown, following Michigan's Palisades plant, signaling a potential shift in the nation's energy landscape.
