Microsoft has become the first global tech giant to join the World Nuclear Association (WNA), underscoring the growing recognition of nuclear energy as an essential foundation for powering the digital economy and achieving ambitious climate goals, WNA said.
Microsoft has signed long-term agreements including a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center, formerly known as the Three Mile Island Unit 1, in the USA and signed one of the first deals with fusion energy technology company Helion, through a long-term power purchase agreement.
“Microsoft’s membership with the Association is a game-changing moment for our industry,” said WNA Director General Sama Bilbao y León. “When one of the world’s most innovative technology companies recognises nuclear energy as essential to their carbon-negative future, it sends a powerful signal to markets, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide. This partnership will accelerate nuclear deployment at the scale needed to meet both climate goals and the growth in energy demand from data centres.”
She added: “Nuclear energy isn’t just part of the technology sector’s energy strategy – it’s essential to it. Microsoft joining the Association allows greater collaboration between one of the major energy users and the nuclear industry to address the regulatory, technical, and financial challenges to accelerate nuclear deployment. The global nuclear industry isn’t just generating electricity; we’re energising technology.”
Melissa Lott, leader of Microsoft’s Energy Technology team, said WNA membership reflects a “strategic moment” as the technology industry works to meet its carbon-free energy goals. “When you combine Microsoft’s technological capabilities with the nuclear industry’s proven track record of delivering reliable, carbon-free baseload power, you create the foundation for unprecedented innovation in carbon-free energy technology deployment,” she said.
