The British Columbia government is temporarily suspending requests for electricity connections from cryptocurrency mining operations, saying the decision is aimed at preserving the power supply while supporting climate action and economic goals.
A statement from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation said 21 cryptocurrency projects are requesting a total of 1,403 megawatts, enough to power about 570,000 homes per year, or 2.1 million electric vehicles.
It said the 18-month suspension will give the province and B.C. Hydro time to engage with industry and First Nations as a permanent framework for cryptocurrency operations is developed.
Energy Minister Josie Osborne said in the statement that cryptocurrency mining consumes “massive amounts of electricity” by running high-powered computers around the clock, but added “very few jobs” to the local economy.
B.C.’s electricity is generated almost entirely by hydropower, and the province said it has attracted “unprecedented interest” from cryptocurrency miners.
The statement said seven operational cryptocurrency mining projects and six more projects that are well advanced in the connection process won’t be affected by the suspension.
Their consumption totals 273 megawatts.
But, it said, if new connections were allowed “unchecked,” energy that would otherwise be used to support the province’s Clean B.C. goals could be eroded, and little electricity would remain for projects with greater employment, economic and climate benefits.
