Ethiopia cuts Bitcoin miners’ power by 77% amid hydropower shortage: Report
Ethiopia has cut electricity supplied to Bitcoin miners to 23% of contracted levels as El Niño-driven drought reduces hydropower inflows. Ethiopian Electric Power said it first lowered deliveries to 75%, then 50%, then 23% to prioritize households and manufacturers. It will review conditions in October and may impose more cuts, including on power exports. Bitcoin miners reportedly provide 35% of EEP’s revenue and use nearly one-third of Ethiopia’s electricity output, drawing international operators like Phoenix Group. Separately, Saifedean Ammous argued Bitcoin mining electricity use and capital spending may have peaked in 2024–2025, as halving cuts rewards and weak BTC price growth limits miner economics. He also pointed to AI data centers as a competing use for power and infrastructure.
