British Columbia has announced plans to permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining operations connected to the power grid, citing the need to protect power supplies for industries that drive jobs and public revenue.
The move by the government of Canada’s third-most populous province is part of a broader legislative and regulatory review announced Monday that also places new limits on electricity use by data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) companies.
“The government also plans to implement several regulatory and policy changes in fall 2025 that will permanently ban BC Hydro’s new connections to the power grid for cryptocurrency mining to preserve the province’s power supply and avoid overloading the power grid,” the government said in a post on its website.
The state said the limits will help prevent strain on the power grid and ensure industrial development with clean electricity.
“We are seeing unprecedented demand from traditional and emerging industries, and the province’s strategy will enable BC Hydro to responsibly manage this growth and maintain grid reliability and a clean, affordable energy future,” Charlotte Measer, president and CEO of electric utility BC Hydro, said in a web post.
According to the statement, crypto mining operations often consume large amounts of electricity without creating many local jobs or tax revenues.
In contrast, projects such as mines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities are considered more beneficial to the economy.
In addition to banning cryptocurrencies, the state will place limits on the use of electricity for AI and data centers, and will begin a competitive allocation process in January 2026.
Detailed regulations are expected to come into force in November, and a competitive process to allocate power to AI and data centers is scheduled for January 2026.
