The British Columbia government has announced a permanent ban on new cryptocurrency mining operations connecting to the province’s hydroelectric power grid.
On Monday, the BC government made it known to the publicIn a statement released, confirming that the new legislation will take effect in fall 2025. The measures are designed to help BC Hydro, the state-owned electricity provider, manage limited power resources while ensuring affordable and clean energy for residents and businesses.
“There are significant opportunities in British Columbia’s traditional natural resource sectors, including mining, natural gas and LNG, and in emerging sectors, such as data centers and artificial intelligence (AI). The success of proposed major projects hinges on access to reliable, clean electricity at a competitive industrial rate,” the government stated.
As part of the new rules, BC Hydro will place “limits on the power available for data centers and AI” and permanently “ban new BC Hydro connections to the electricity grid” for crypto mining.
BC Hydro, which supplies electricity to about 95% of the province’s population to be over 5 million people, according to its website, is expected to implement the changes.
“We’re seeing unprecedented demand from traditional and emerging industries. The Province’s strategy empowers BC Hydro to manage this growth responsibly, keeping our grid reliable and our energy future clean and affordable,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO of BC Hydro.
While the province supports growth in data centers and AI, it views crypto mining differently. The government said it will promote these sectors “in a manner that results in the greatest benefit to people in British Columbia.” However, it justified the crypto mining restrictions due to “disproportionate energy consumption and limited economic benefit” from the industry.
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