British Columbia Moves to Permanently Block New Crypto Mining Connections
Canada's third-largest province, British Columbia, is set to close the door on new grid-connected cryptocurrency mining operations, cementing the province as one of the first in North America to explicitly exclude the sector from its publicly owned, clean-energy supply.
The government announced legislation this week that would make the previous temporary moratorium permanent, signalling that existing miners will face near-impossible conditions if they hope to expand.
Why Is BC Targeting Crypto Mining Now
The permanent ban forms part of a broader Electricity Allocation Framework, designed to manage surging electricity demand and prioritise sectors that deliver greater economic benefit.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, said,
“Our new allocation framework will prioritise 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.”
While crypto mining will no longer have access to the grid, traditional mining operations remain eligible.
The move reflects concerns over the “disproportionate energy consumption and limited economic benefit” of crypto mining compared with other industries.
Where Will Miners Go Next
Crypto operators seeking expansion in Canada must now consider alternative jurisdictions.
However, provinces with cheap, publicly subsidised hydroelectric power—including Quebec, Manitoba, and New Brunswick—have tightened restrictions to protect local energy supply.
Alberta stands out as a potential destination, thanks to its abundant fossil fuel resources, which allow miners to convert otherwise flared or vented natural gas into electricity.
Off-grid partnerships with private power generators or relocation abroad are other routes for miners who require grid connections.
How BC Plans to Handle AI and Data Centres
The legislation also addresses electricity demands from AI data centres.
The government plans to allocate 300MW for AI and 100MW for data centres via a competitive call in early 2026.
Referring to US states like Virginia and Maryland, where data centre expansion has driven up household power bills, the ministry noted,
“Other jurisdictions have been challenged to address electricity demands from emerging sectors and, in many cases, have placed significant rate increases on the backs of ratepayers.”
Industrial power for mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, forestry, and hydrogen will remain uncapped.
The contrast with neighbouring Alberta is clear: the province is aggressively courting C$100 billion (S$92 billion) in data centre investments over the next five years, leveraging its natural gas reserves for electricity.
Transmission Upgrades and Indigenous Participation
BC also plans to streamline infrastructure development, exempting a major North Coast transmission line from regulatory certification to cut up to 18 months from project timelines.
Interconnection charges will be updated to allow multiple customers to provide financial security to BC Hydro, rather than burdening the first in line.
Rules will also change to enable indigenous groups to pursue partial ownership of infrastructure, a provision not currently covered by existing legislation.
The bill is expected to pass, marking a definitive shift in how British Columbia allocates its clean energy and signalling a challenging new landscape for cryptocurrency miners in the province.
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