52% of Bitcoin Mining Now Green—Big Shift for BTC
Bitcoin mining, once lambasted for its environmental impact, is undergoing a quiet revolution. According to a new report by the Cambridge...
Quick overview
- Bitcoin mining is shifting towards sustainability, with 52.4% of its electricity now sourced from renewables.
- The US leads this green mining movement, accounting for 75.4% of global Bitcoin mining activity.
- Hydropower and wind are the primary renewable sources for mining, while fossil fuels still contribute 47.6% of energy use.
- As energy costs rise, miners are diversifying into high-performance computing and energy innovations to remain profitable.
Bitcoin mining, once lambasted for its environmental impact, is undergoing a quiet revolution. According to a new report by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), 52.4% of the electricity used for mining now comes from renewable sources. That’s a big deal for an industry under pressure to clean up its act.
The US has become the epicenter of this green mining movement, now accounting for 75.4% of reported global Bitcoin mining activity. Add in Canada’s 7.1% and North America dominates over 80% of reported mining.
China’s exit from the mining scene—following the regulatory crackdown—pushed miners to move west and accelerate this shift.
When China banned mining, it disrupted operations. Miners used VPNs to stay under the radar. But the industry got the message: sustainable energy was no longer optional, it was necessary.
Hydropower, Wind Lead the Renewables Mix
The energy mix in mining is not only cleaner, but more diverse. According to the CCAF data, hydropower and wind now lead the renewable mix, followed by nuclear and solar. Here’s how it breaks down:
Hydropower: 23.4%
Wind: 15.4%
Nuclear: 9.8%
Solar: 3.2%
Other renewables: 0.5%
Fossil fuels still make up 47.6% of the total, with natural gas (38.2%) being the largest single contributor. Coal is 8.9% and oil 0.5%.
Not perfect, but a big step in the right direction for Bitcoin’s evolution—especially as environmental pressure mounts.
Energy Costs Rise, Diversification is Key
Even as renewable energy increases, Bitcoin mining’s power consumption hasn’t decreased. In fact, the industry’s total electricity usage rose 17% year over year to 138 terawatt-hours—0.54% of global electricity consumption.
The financials are real too. Miners reported:
Median electricity cost: $45 per megawatt-hour
All-in operational cost: $55.50/MWh
Electricity makes up over 80% of operational expensesMiners need to diversify to stay profitable. Some are moving into high-performance computing (HPC) for AI processing. Others are looking at energy innovations like flared gas, waste heat recovery and demand side response solutions.
Bottom line:
Bitcoin mining isn’t just about coins anymore—it’s about survival, innovation and sustainability. And the move to clean energy is more than just a PR exercise; it’s the foundation of crypto’s future.
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