The Pakistani government is considering leveraging its surplus electricity to power cryptocurrency mining and blockchain-based data centers. This initiative aims to stimulate the digital asset industry while efficiently utilizing excess power.
The Power Division is collaborating with stakeholders to develop attractive electricity tariffs for emerging industries, ensuring that these rates do not require subsidies and can help absorb surplus power, thereby reducing capacity payments.
Globally, Bitcoin mining is known for its high energy consumption, with estimates indicating it uses over 130 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually—surpassing the total power consumption of countries like Argentina or the Netherlands.
The newly established Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), led by CEO Bilal Bin Saqib, is actively involved in this initiative. In a recent meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Saqib presented the concept of utilizing Pakistan’s surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining, potentially transforming the country’s liabilities into assets.
The PCC emphasizes the need for regulatory clarity to fully harness the potential of the cryptocurrency sector in Pakistan. The council is exploring regulatory models and use cases from other regions that could be adapted to Pakistan’s unique context.
