British Columbia Permanently Bans New Crypto Mining Projects from Power Grid

British Columbia has enacted a permanent ban on new cryptocurrency mining operations accessing its public electricity grid. The decision, effective immediately, extends a moratorium first imposed in 2022 and renewed in 2024. Provincial authorities cite the need to prioritize energy for industries generating long-term employment and stable revenue streams.

BC Hydro, the primary power utility serving the region, will no longer provide electricity to future mining ventures. The government explicitly positions this move as a strategic shift away from energy-intensive crypto operations toward traditional sectors like natural gas extraction and emerging industries such as liquefied natural gas production and data centers.

Starting in 2026, even high-tech consumers including AI firms and data centers will face electricity allocation limits. Premier David Eby's administration frames these measures as necessary to balance clean energy distribution across multiple economic sectors.