Norway plans to prohibit new cryptocurrency mining data centers to preserve national energy resources. The decision responds to soaring electricity consumption from mining operations, which strain local power infrastructure. Authorities prioritize allocating renewable energy to essential services and manufacturing over crypto mining’s high energy demands.
This reflects broader European concerns about crypto mining’s environmental impact, particularly regarding renewable energy allocation. Norway’s hydropower resources have attracted miners seeking low-carbon operations, but policymakers now view this as unsustainable for national energy security.
The ban signals increasing regulatory scrutiny of crypto mining’s energy footprint globally. Similar measures could emerge in other energy-conscious jurisdictions, potentially accelerating mining migration to regions with surplus renewable capacity or less stringent regulations.
