The Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) has moved to permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining projects connecting to its power grid. This decision follows a two-year moratorium introduced in 2022, as the province seeks to tightly control the use of its extensive hydroelectric power and ensure it benefits higher-value, job-creating sectors.
The provincial energy ministry announced on Monday that the government-owned utility, BC Hydro, will no longer accept grid connection requests from crypto miners. The rationale is to redirect available electricity towards industries that offer greater economic benefit and job creation for local communities.
Officials stated that crypto mining consumes massive amounts of energy while providing "little economic benefit" in return. In contrast, future power connections will be prioritized for sectors such as natural gas processing, hydrogen production, and manufacturing. The power demand from pending crypto projects alone would have been enough to supply hundreds of thousands of BC homes.
This permanent restriction is part of a larger energy policy reform set for late 2025 that will govern industrial electricity distribution. BC Hydro will launch a competitive bidding process in early 2026 to allocate 400 megawatts of power, with 300 MW designated for AI projects and 100 MW for general data centers.
Traditional resource sectors like mining, oil and gas, forestry, and manufacturing will retain unrestricted access to industrial power. The province plans a massive grid expansion, with new transmission lines under construction from 2026 to 2034, designed to meet rising industrial demand and link power development directly with goals of job creation and economic diversification.
BC's move aligns with a global trend of provinces (like Quebec and Manitoba) and governments prioritizing clean energy for stable, high-employment industries over energy-hungry, largely automated crypto mining.
Policymakers view supporting AI and industrial projects as a superior long-term strategy, offering stronger tax and job contributions. The ban reflects an evolution in government priorities toward a more resilient economy and meeting broader climate objectives.
October 2025, Cryptoniteuae