Norway Plans Temporary Ban on Crypto Mining to Save Power
Norway announced plans to temporarily ban new crypto mining data centers that rely on highly power-intensive technology, starting as early as autumn 2025. "The Labour Party government has a clear intention to limit the mining of cryptocurrency in Norway as much as possible," said Karianne Tung, Minister for Digitalization and Public Administration. She emphasized that these operations consume massive amounts of electricity while offering "little in the way of jobs and income for the local community."
With abundant supply of hydropower, Norway has become a global hotspot for crypto mining, ranking among the top ten countries worldwide. But the growing demand for electricity, along with noise complaints like the one that recently shut down a mining facility in Hadsel, has sparked increasing public concern. The closure of that facility even caused local electricity bills to spike, as it had contributed about 20% of the power company’s revenue.
The move mirrors actions taken by other countries, including Russia, which has already imposed bans in multiple regions. Norway’s decision signals its intent to prioritize energy for industries with greater local benefits, especially as the country pushes forward with its green energy transition.
