Bitcoin mining in the United States consumes a significant amount of electricity each year, with estimates ranging from 25 to 91 terawatt-hours. This usage represents roughly 0.6% to 2.3% of the nation’s total electricity production. The figure comes from a detailed assessment by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which tracks energy-intensive industries across the country.
The cost of powering the world’s leading cryptocurrency is closely tied to regional electricity prices. At the lower end of the spectrum, energy consumption mirrors the demand seen in states such as Utah or West Virginia; at the higher end, it approaches the level observed in Washington state. This spread highlights how local tariffs influence mining profitability and site selection for operators.
Industrial crypto mining relies on high-performance, energy-hungry equipment. As a result, electricity bills form the dominant operating expense for miners. In practice, companies often seek locations with favorable electric rates to maximize margins and sustain operations over time.
After China restricted crypto mining, a noticeable migration occurred, with many operations relocating to the United States. Affordability of electricity has remained a policy consideration for many operators, as noted by the EIA. To map evolving patterns, the agency examined industry publications, financial disclosures, news reports, and congressional materials to identify Bitcoin mining activity. In total, they documented 137 facilities and verified mining-related details for 101 of them.
The research indicates a trend where miners repurpose existing infrastructure, sometimes reviving old fossil-fuel plants or occupying former industrial sites such as aluminum smelting facilities. In some instances, operations tap into nearby nuclear power networks or utilize surplus natural gas from fields to support mining activities, effectively staging Bitcoin production alongside traditional energy assets.
Early in 2020, the United States accounted for a little over 3% of global Bitcoin mining. By 2022, independent estimates from Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance placed the U.S. share closer to 38%, underscoring a rapid expansion of mining capacity within the country.
In Dagestan, reports noted that mining installations were shut down during a cold spell to relieve network strain. This illustrates how electric reliability and demand management can influence mining operations in various regions around the world, including North America.