Pakistan Allocates 2,000 MW of Electricity for Bitcoin Mining and AI Data Centers

Pakistan Allocates 2,000-MW Capacity to Power Bitcoin Mining

Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity in the first phase of a national push to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, as the country moves to legalize cryptocurrency and attract foreign investments. The initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council, will also help monetize surplus energy and create high-tech jobs, the finance ministry said in a statement. Coal-based power projects like Sahiwal, China Hub, and Port Qasim, currently operating at 15% capacity, are among those expected to be repurposed for this effort, the ministry said.

Pakistan allocates 2,000 megawatts of electricity to bitcoin mining, AI data centres

ISLAMABAD, May 25 (Reuters) - Pakistan will allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power bitcoin mining and AI data centres, its finance ministry said on Sunday. The allocation is part of Islamabad's plans to use its surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI data centres. Pakistan's energy sector is grappling with challenges, including high electricity tariffs and surplus generation capacity. The rapid expansion of solar energy has further complicated the landscape, as more consumers turn to alternative energy sources to mitigate high costs. The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body, which is part of a broader strategy to monetize surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment, the ministry said. The allocation is the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure roll-out, it added. Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Christian Schmollinger Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Climate & EnergyGovernanceRegulatory OversightGrid & InfrastructureClean Energy

Pakistan allocates 2,000MW power for Bitcoin mining and AI centers

Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity exclusively for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence centers. The move is part of a broader digital transformation plan spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council and backed by the Ministry of Finance, according to a May 25 report by local news outlet 24NewsHD TV Channel. In the first phase, the government plans to channel excess power into AI infrastructure and crypto mining operations. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the decision is expected to attract billions in foreign investment while generating high-tech employment across the country. The initiative's second phase will introduce access to renewable energy for mining operations, aiming to balance growth with environmental responsibility. Related: Trump-backed World Liberty Financial partners with Pakistan Crypto Council Per the report, interest from international Bitcoin (BTC) miners and AI firms has already picked up. Officials confirmed that multiple foreign delegations have visited Pakistan in recent months to explore potential partnerships. To further incentivize investment, the Ministry of Finance announced a package of tax incentives for AI centers and duty exemptions for Bitcoin miners. Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of Pakistan's Crypto Council, reportedly welcomed the development, calling it a "turning point" for the country's digital economy. Saqib claimed that with clear regulations and a transparent framework, Pakistan could emerge as a significant player in the global crypto and AI sectors. Saqib first proposed using the country's runoff energy to fuel Bitcoin mining at the Crypto Council's inaugural meeting on March 21. The meeting included lawmakers, the Bank of Pakistan's governor, the chairman of Pakistan's Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP), and the federal information technology secretary. Related: Pakistan proposes compliance-based crypto regulatory framework -- Report On May 21, Pakistan's Ministry of Finance endorsed the creation of a dedicated body to regulate blockchain-based financial infrastructure in the country. The Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) will serve as a regulatory body to oversee licensing and regulating exchanges, custodians, wallets, tokenized platforms, stablecoins, and decentralized finance applications. The PDAA will also be tasked with tokenizing national assets and government debt, facilitating monetization of Pakistan's surplus electricity through regulated Bitcoin mining, and helping startups build blockchain-based solutions at scale. Pakistan ranked highly in Chainalysis' 2024 crypto adoption index, coming in ninth, mainly due to strong retail adoption and transactions at centralized services. Data from Statista also shows Pakistan's crypto market is "experiencing rapid growth," estimating the number of crypto users to amount to over 27 million by 2025, out of a population of 247 million.

Pakistan allocates 2,000 megawatts of electricity to bitcoin mining, AI data centres

Pakistan plans to allocate 2,000 MW of electricity for bitcoin mining and AI data centers in its first phase, aiming to monetize surplus electricity and attract foreign investment. This initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council, seeks to address challenges in the energy sector, including high tariffs and surplus generation capacity, while creating high-tech jobs.Pakistan will allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power bitcoin mining and AI data centres, its finance ministry said on Sunday. The allocation is part of Islamabad's plans to use its surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI data centres. Pakistan's energy sector is grappling with challenges, including high electricity tariffs and surplus generation capacity. The rapid expansion of solar energy has further complicated the landscape, as more consumers turn to alternative energy sources to mitigate high costs. The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body, which is part of a broader strategy to monetize surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment, the ministry said. The allocation is the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure roll-out, it added.

Pakistan allocates 2,000-MW capacity to power Bitcoin mining

Pakistan is allocating 2,000 MW of electricity to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, aiming to legalize cryptocurrency and attract foreign investment. This initiative, spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council, seeks to monetize surplus energy and generate high-tech employment. The government is repurposing underutilized coal-based power plants and establishing a regulatory framework to boost the local crypto ecosystem.Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity in the first phase of a national push to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centres, as the country moves to legalise cryptocurrency and attract foreign investments. The initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council, will also help monetise surplus energy and create high-tech jobs, the finance ministry said in a statement. Coal-based power projects like Sahiwal, China Hub, and Port Qasim, currently operating at 15% capacity, are among those expected to be repurposed for this effort, the ministry said. Pakistan's federal government is seeking investments to bolster an economy that narrowly avoided default in 2023. With an estimated 15-20 million crypto users, the country aims to establish a regulatory framework to boost its local ecosystem and attract global capital. In April, it roped in Changpeng Zhao, the co-founder of the world's largest crypto exchange Binance, to set up a digital finance platform. The Crypto Council has also signed an initial pact with US President Donald Trump's crypto project to accelerate blockchain innovation. The country has attracted interest from global crypto miners and data infrastructure firms, according to the finance ministry statement, which didn't disclose specific names.

Pakistan allocates 2,000 megawatts of electricity to bitcoin mining, AI data centres

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan will allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power bitcoin mining and AI data centres, its finance ministry said on Sunday. The allocation is part of Islamabad's plans to use its surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI data centres. Pakistan's energy sector is grappling with challenges, including high electricity tariffs and surplus generation capacity. The rapid expansion of solar energy has further complicated the landscape, as more consumers turn to alternative energy sources to mitigate high costs. The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body, which is part of a broader strategy to monetize surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment, the ministry said. The allocation is the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure roll-out, it added. (Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)