British Columbia Pulls the Plug on Crypto Mining and AI Power Expansion

TLDR:

• British Columbia permanently banned new crypto mining projects, ending a two-year moratorium on new grid connections.
• The province restricted power access for AI data centers to manage rising electricity demand and protect local resources.
• Officials said energy will be redirected toward industries that generate stable jobs and higher local economic returns.
• The Energy Ministry confirmed existing crypto operations can continue under current agreements without new approvals.

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British Columbia is turning off the power on high-energy industries. The province plans to permanently ban new crypto mining projects and restrict power usage by artificial intelligence data centers. 

The move aims to preserve electricity for sectors creating more local jobs and revenue. Officials say the shift supports regional growth and sustainability efforts. The decision, reported by Bloomberg, could reshape how technology firms operate in Canada’s western region.

Province Targets Crypto Mining for Power Reform

According to Bloomberg, British Columbia’s Energy Ministry said it will no longer approve new crypto mining connections to the power grid. The decision follows concerns that large-scale mining operations consume massive amounts of electricity while providing minimal employment benefits.

The province froze new crypto mining requests back in late 2022, and this update makes the restriction permanent. Officials say that while AI data centers also demand high power, they contribute more to innovation and the local economy compared to mining farms.

Wu Blockchain shared the report on X, noting that British Columbia intends to prioritize energy access for industries like manufacturing and natural gas. This aligns with the province’s strategy to promote sustainable, job-generating energy use.

The Energy Ministry said that current crypto miners connected to the grid can continue operating under existing agreements, but no new projects will be approved. This effectively halts any future expansion of crypto mining in the province.

AI Data Centers Also Face Energy Restrictions

British Columbia’s plan also extends to artificial intelligence data centers, which have driven a surge in electricity demand. The province will introduce caps on how much power these facilities can consume, ensuring fair allocation across industries.

Officials said that while AI development is an important growth area, it cannot come at the cost of energy stability. Power providers will evaluate projects based on economic contribution, job creation, and long-term sustainability.

This marks one of the first government-level interventions to regulate power access for both AI and crypto operations. Authorities said the measure reflects the province’s commitment to protecting community interests while maintaining responsible technology development.

For many in the crypto space, the decision highlights a growing trend of governments reassessing how digital industries fit into national energy strategies. Bloomberg’s report noted that British Columbia’s move could influence similar policies across other Canadian provinces.

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