Constellation Energy is moving forward with plans to restart the reactor at Three Mile Island, now rebranded as the Crane Clean Energy Center, with operations targeted for the second half of 2027.
The project carries a $1.6 billion price tag, backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft for the plant's full 835-megawatt output, all dedicated to powering the tech giant's expanding data center fleet.
The reactor-Three Mile Island Unit 1-was shut down in September 2019 after more than 40 years of operation. It is a separate unit from the one involved in the 1979 partial meltdown, which remains permanently closed.
The NRC approved the name change to Crane Clean Energy Center on May 13, 2025, and a restart decision is expected as early as June 2026.
The US Department of Energy announced a $1 billion loan on November 19, 2025, to support the restart.
PJM Interconnection initially flagged potential grid connection delays through 2031, but Constellation filed waivers with FERC on March 31, 2026, arguing existing infrastructure should simplify the process.
Constellation CEO Joseph Dominguez remains committed to the 2027 timeline, working closely with regulators and adjusting operational plans.
The Microsoft deal reflects a broader trend of Big Tech securing clean, baseload power for AI-driven data centers. The DOE loan and Microsoft PPA de-risk the project significantly, though regulatory delays and cost overruns remain potential threats.