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Bitcoin mining power demands in Texas could jump 5 times by 2023

As the state of Texas faces a rapid inflow of Bitcoin mining operations, its electrical infrastructure will have to support the industry’s expected 5,000 megawatts of additional power demands by 2023. The Bitcoin mining industry in Texas currently consumes around 500 to 1,000 MW of power. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) anticipates that demand could increase as much as fivefold by 2023 and has planned an additional 3,000 to 5,000 MW according to reports. This expansion comes amid Texas planning to become the home to 20% of the world’s Bitcoin mining operations. Texas emerged as the go-to destination for Bitcoin miners ever since the Chinese government officially banned Bitcoin mining earlier this year.

The state government has capitalized on China’s clampdown by making Texas a haven for crypto miners who can now enjoy a 10-year tax abatement, sales tax credits, and state-sponsored workforce training. Some Texas residents, however, are concerned that the existing power grid cannot be improved. ERCOT’s management of the state’s electrical grid came under heavy scrutiny in February 2021 when blackouts plagued the region during an extreme cold snap which left about 5 million residents without power for days. There are currently no proposals from the Texas state government to deal with potential issues that may arise from the increase in electrical demand from crypto miners. As suggested by the Texas Standard, miners could be flexible in shutting off their hardware during periods of peak demand or be charged a premium per kilowatt-hour if they want to stay on during peak demand periods.