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British Columbia will permanently ban new crypto mining connections from its provincial power grid starting fall 2025, ending an 18-month moratorium with what officials call a definitive stance against the industry’s energy demands.
The Canadian province cited “disproportionate energy consumption and limited economic benefit” as justification for blocking future connections to BC Hydro, the state-owned utility serving 95% of British Columbia’s population.
“British Columbia offers major opportunities across its traditional natural resource industries such as mining, natural gas and LNG as well as in emerging sectors like 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 statement reads.
As part of the regulatory changes taking effect in fall 2025, the province will impose “limits on the power available for data centers and AI,” alongside a permanent “ban on new BC Hydro crypto mining connections to the electricity grid.”
“We’re experiencing unprecedented demand from both traditional and emerging industries,” she said.
“The Province’s strategy enables BC Hydro to manage growth responsibly, ensuring our grid remains reliable while keeping our energy future clean and affordable,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO of BC Hydro, the state owned electric utility that serves over five million people about 95% of the province’s population.
While the new framework restricts crypto mining connections, the province maintains a more positive stance toward data centers and AI initiatives emphasizing their “potential to deliver greater benefits to people in British Columbia.”
In contrast, the government’s background notes describe crypto mining connections as sources of “disproportionate energy consumption and limited economic benefit,” prompting the ban.
Despite the criticism, some analysts argue that banning crypto mining connections overlooks the sector’s evolving environmental contributions. Bitcoin environmentalist Daniel Batten, for instance has worked to counter the perception that crypto mining harms sustainability highlighting how Bitcoin mining can support renewable energy integration and grid stability.
British Columbia’s move to prohibit crypto mining connections follows years of debate. Although other regions such as Vancouver are positioning themselves as “Bitcoin friendly,” BC has consistently sought to restrict access to its hydro power grid.
The province initially introduced an 18 month moratorium on new crypto mining connections in December 2022, giving regulators time to craft a framework that would balance the interests of miners, residents and businesses.
That temporary pause has now evolved into a full scale ban marking a definitive stance against expanding crypto mining connections in the province.
It remains to be seen how the ban will impact established players like Bitfarms and Iren both of which operate Bitcoin mining facilities and AI driven data centers in British Columbia. Industry observers warn that the new restrictions on crypto mining connections could push innovation and investment to more accommodating provinces or regions abroad.
