British Columbia Seeks Permanent Crypto Mining Ban
- British Columbia to permanently ban new crypto mining projects to preserve electricity.
- AI and data centers will face new power limits through a competitive allocation process.
- North Coast Transmission Line aims to create jobs and boost provincial economic growth.
British Columbia has unveiled new legislation to permanently ban new crypto mining projects and restrict electricity allocations for artificial intelligence data centers. The proposed Energy Statutes Amendment Act, announced Monday, aims to preserve the province’s clean energy resources and prioritize grid access for industries that generate higher employment and public revenue.
Province Prioritizes Power for Job-Rich Sectors
According to the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, the new framework will direct electricity toward sectors like mining, natural gas, and low-emission LNG, which are viewed as essential to the province’s economic growth.
Minister Adrian Dix said the policy will prevent mistakes seen elsewhere, where surging demand from emerging technologies strained power grids and raised costs for ratepayers. The government will allocate power through a competitive process rather than the traditional first-come, first-served approach.
BC Hydro, the province’s publicly owned utility, will manage the process beginning in January 2026. Over the first two years, it plans to allocate 300 megawatts to AI operations and 100 megawatts to general data centers, ensuring controlled growth for these sectors.
However, the rules draw a clear line for virtual asset mining. The province confirmed it will make permanent the 2022 moratorium on new crypto mining connections to BC Hydro. Officials stated that such operations consume large amounts of energy while providing limited employment and local benefits compared to other industries.
New Law to Accelerate Transmission Line Project
The legislation also aims to expedite the construction of the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL), a major infrastructure project that will connect Prince George to Terrace and extend north to Bob Quinn Lake. Premier David Eby described the project as “nation-building,” noting it will supply clean electricity to support new mines and LNG developments.
The government plans to deem the transmission line a “public convenience and public necessity,” allowing it to bypass lengthy hearings by the B.C. Utilities Commission. This move is expected to shorten the approval timeline by up to a year. Construction of the line’s first phase is scheduled to begin in summer 2026, with completion expected between 2032 and 2034.
Officials estimate the NCTL will create approximately 9,700 full-time jobs once operational and contribute nearly $10 billion annually to British Columbia’s GDP. The project is also projected to generate about $950 million in annual public revenues for provincial and municipal governments.
Eby said the project will help power underdeveloped regions in the province, enabling new industrial growth. He emphasized that the initiative will also strengthen northern sovereignty and support national defense objectives through eventual grid connections extending toward the Yukon.
Related: Cuomo Pledges Crypto Innovation With New NYC Tech Role
Competitive Bidding to Control Power Access
Under the new allocation framework, industries seeking high electricity usage, such as AI, hydrogen-for-export, and data centers, will compete for access through a regulated bidding process. This approach replaces the open-access model that previously allowed projects to secure connections based solely on order of application.
By prioritizing power distribution, the government intends to manage fast growth in emerging sectors without burdening residential customers. BC Hydro will gain authority to adjust rates based on industrial category, enabling the province to charge more for projects offering limited economic benefit.
The provincial energy ministry said similar surges in power demand from AI and data infrastructure have challenged utilities across North America, often leading to higher consumer rates. British Columbia aims to avoid those pressures while maintaining its clean-energy advantage.
Premier Eby noted that while data centers can provide positive contributions, they must operate responsibly. “We need to ensure these centers manage water use carefully, enhance data security, and bring real economic benefits to B.C.,” he said.
Meanwhile, British Columbia’s new energy policy is a change toward protecting grid stability and prioritizing industries that drive jobs and revenue. The permanent ban on new crypto mining projects, together with electricity caps for AI and data centers, is a move to preserve the province’s hydro-based clean energy supply for long-term industrial and public benefit.
