Thursday, 26 June 2025
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The 837 MWe pressurised water reactor – formerly known as Three Mile Island unit 1 – was closed in 2019, but last year Constellation announced plans to restart the unit after it signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft. At the time, the company said it was eyeing a 2028 restart.
“Today we begin a new chapter for reliable, emissions-free nuclear energy, returning thousands of good jobs and billions in economic opportunities for Pennsylvania families and businesses,” Constellation President and CEO Joe Dominguez said in the company’s latest update on the project. “With PJM’s action, Microsoft’s historic investment, and strong support from [Pennsylvania’s] Governor Shapiro, elected officials and members of this community, we’re on track to make history ahead of schedule, helping America achieve energy independence, supercharge economic growth, and win the global AI race.”
Constellation said in February that it had filed an interconnection request with PJM to allow Crane to add its 835 megawatts of emissions-free power to the grid.
Shapiro – who last year to help to secure approval of that expedited request – said his administration has been working closely with Constellation and PJM since 2023 to get the plant back online as quickly as possible”, he said, adding “projects like this are going to help us continue to create energy jobs and build a more reliable, affordable energy grid”.
Governor Shapiro (on the right) at the plant (Image: Governor of Pennsylvania/X)
Constellation said it continues to make “strong progress toward the safe and efficient restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center”. The facility is now more than 64% staffed, with nearly 400 full-time employees and a further 58 additional hires set to start in the coming weeks. Technical milestones that have been reached include the successful inspection of the plant’s diesel generator, steam generator, main generator, turbines, and other major systems. Many office buildings have been renovated and enhancements to the training centre and control room simulator are nearly complete. New main power transformers will be delivered next year.
The company said it also remains on track with its regulatory filings, having recently submitted key licensing amendments to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
According to an independent economic impact study by the Brattle Group, , Constellation’s USD1.6 billion investment to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center is expected to create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs, add USD16 billion to Pennsylvania’s GDP, and generate more than USD3 billion in state and federal tax revenue.
