Data centers require high electricity and water supply. As a result of the need to build AI data centers, companies such as Google and Microsoft failed to meet the targets of more sustainable and green operations last year. With the need for electricity increasing, Microsoft had to use nuclear energy sources.
The Three Mile Island nuclear power station located in Pennsylvania closed in 2019 because it was no longer profitable. This is the same power station where a reactor nearly melted down in 1979 causing radioactive gas to be released into the atmosphere. To date it is the most serious nuclear reactor incident in United States history,
But for the energy needs of Microsoft's data center, this 837-MW power station was revived by the Constellation firm with a 20-year contract. The use of nuclear energy will reduce Microsoft's carbon footprint because nuclear energy is classified as a cleaner energy source.
The need for energy in Malaysia is also increasing and this is the reason why the government does not rule out using nuclear power to meet the country's zero carbon emission policy target.