NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Tech giant Microsoft has announced plans to build a $420 million, 245,000-square-foot data center in New Albany, set on nearly 200 acres. The new facility is expected to employ at least 30 full-time workers with an annual payroll of $1.5 million, with construction slated to begin next July and completion expected by December 2027.
As Microsoft continues to expand its data center capabilities, questions are surfacing about how these massive facilities will be powered. Data centers require immense amounts of energy to run their operations efficiently, and while some companies are turning to renewable sources like solar, others are eyeing nuclear power as a potential solution. Currently, solar farms in Ross County provide power to Amazon, showcasing a more sustainable approach to energy consumption.
However, the conversation about energy doesn’t stop there. OKLO, a start-up company, plans to build two experimental nuclear reactors in Pike County, and its representatives believe nuclear power could help meet the energy demands of new data centers like Microsoft’s. The idea of using nuclear energy, however, is far from universally accepted.
Recently, Microsoft entered into an agreement with Constellation Energy to source power for its data centers from the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear plant. This move has reignited concerns among anti-nuclear activists who remember the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island when a partial meltdown of the Unit-2 reactor released radioactive gases into the atmosphere. The incident left a lasting scar on public perception of nuclear safety.
Many activists argue that the dangers of nuclear power far outweigh any potential benefits. They point to the inherent risks of radioactive contamination, the long-term storage of nuclear waste, and the catastrophic consequences of possible reactor failures. As Ohio considers its energy future, the debate between sustainable, renewable energy sources and risky nuclear ventures intensifies.
While companies like Microsoft look for ways to power their growing data infrastructure, the question remains: Should Ohio rely on clean, renewable energy, or turn to the more controversial nuclear option? As the data center plans move forward, the discussion about Ohio’s energy path becomes more urgent than ever.