Crypto
B.C. putting 18-month freeze on new cryptocurrency mining hookups to BC Hydro | Globalnews.ca
The British Columbia authorities is shifting to dam new cryptocurrency mining operations from drawing energy from BC Hydro for 18 months.
In a media launch Wednesday, the Ministry of Power, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation mentioned it was directing the B.C. Utilities Fee, briefly relieving the Crown company from the duty to connect with new mining operations. The 18-month window will give the federal government time to work out a everlasting framework on cryptocurrency mining power utilization with business and First Nations, it mentioned.
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The ban would goal cryptocurrency miners who’ve but to connect with the grid, or who have been within the early phases of getting connected. Current miners and those that are “effectively superior” within the BC Hydro connection course of wouldn’t be affected.
“Cryptocurrency mining consumes huge quantities of electrical energy to run and funky banks of high-powered computer systems 24-7-365, whereas creating only a few jobs within the native economic system,” Power Minister Josie Osborne mentioned in a press release.
“We’re suspending electrical energy connection requests from cryptocurrency mining operators to protect our electrical energy provide for people who find themselves switching to electrical automobiles and warmth pumps, and for companies and industries which might be endeavor electrification tasks that scale back carbon emissions and generate jobs and financial alternatives.”
In keeping with the ministry, B.C.’s hydro-powered power grid has attracted “unprecedented” curiosity from cryptocurrency miners.
BC Hydro is at present going through requests from 21 tasks with a projected energy utilization of 1,403 megawatts.
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In keeping with the ministry, that might be sufficient power to energy 570,000 houses or 2.1 million electrical automobiles for a yr.
Presently, BC Hydro is serving seven crypto-mining operations and has six within the superior phases of connection, totaling 273 megawatts of energy.
Manitoba moved in November to droop new crypto energy hookups whereas it conducts its personal regulatory overview, whereas Hydro-Quebec just lately launched a brand new framework that features greater charges and a cap on utilization for crypto miners.
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