Province prioritizes electricity for job-creating industries while managing unprecedented power demand
October 27, 2025 — The Government of British Columbia has officially moved to permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining operations from connecting to the provincial electricity grid, marking the first jurisdiction in Canada to make such a restriction permanent.
The ban, announced as part of sweeping energy legislation tabled October 20, 2025, formalizes a temporary moratorium that has been in place since December 2022. The measure aims to preserve British Columbia’s clean electricity supply for industries that generate jobs, public revenue, and long-term economic benefits.
Addressing Unprecedented Electricity Demand
The policy change comes as BC Hydro faces record demand from both traditional and emerging industrial sectors, with nearly 6,800 megawatts of proposed new load—more than six times the capacity of the recently completed Site C dam.
“We must act with urgency to leverage our clean-electricity advantage and grow and diversify our economy,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Our new allocation framework will prioritize vital growth in sectors like mining, natural gas and lowest-emission LNG, while ensuring our clean energy is directed to projects that deliver the greatest benefit to British Columbians.”
The provincial government states that cryptocurrency mining operations consume massive amounts of electricity while contributing minimal local economic returns. When BC Hydro initially paused new service requests from crypto miners in late 2022, approximately 21 projects representing over 1,400 megawatts of demand were awaiting approval—equivalent to the electricity needed to power 570,000 homes annually.
Part of Broader Energy Strategy
The permanent crypto mining ban is one component of a comprehensive energy allocation framework designed to support major industrial development across British Columbia. The legislation also includes:
- Limits on AI and data centers: Caps on electricity availability with a competitive allocation process launching in January 2026
- Priority for traditional sectors: Guaranteed access for mining, upstream natural gas, LNG, and manufacturing operations
- North Coast Transmission Line acceleration: Fast-tracked construction of a nation-building transmission project in partnership with First Nations
“We’re seeing unprecedented demand from traditional and emerging industries,” said Charlotte Mitha, President and CEO of BC Hydro. “The Province’s strategy empowers BC Hydro to manage this growth responsibly, keeping our grid reliable and our energy future clean and affordable.”
First Permanent Ban in North America
While several U.S. states and Canadian provinces have implemented temporary moratoriums or stricter regulations on cryptocurrency mining to prevent grid strain, British Columbia is the first jurisdiction to make such a ban permanent. The move reflects growing concerns across North America about the energy intensity of crypto operations and their limited contribution to local economies.
Cryptocurrency mining, particularly Bitcoin, requires high-powered computers operating continuously to solve complex cryptographic problems for transaction verification. The process demands substantial electricity not only for computing operations but also for cooling systems to manage the significant heat generated by mining equipment.
Implementation Timeline
Detailed regulations related to the crypto mining ban and the broader electricity allocation framework will be implemented in November 2025. The competitive process for data center and AI electricity access is scheduled to launch in January 2026.
The legislation supporting these changes is currently before the British Columbia legislature and is expected to pass as part of the government’s economic diversification strategy.