The Norwegian government is preparing to impose a temporary ban on the establishment of new cryptocurrency mining data centers, citing concerns over excessive energy consumption.
According to industry sources on June 28, the ruling Labour Party is expected to implement the moratorium as early as this fall. The move aims to reserve electricity for other industrial sectors amid tightening energy supplies.
Norway has been an attractive destination for Bitcoin mining due to its high share of renewable energy and relatively low electricity costs. Major players like CryptoVolt currently operate large-scale facilities, including a 40-megawatt data center near Oslo.
However, following the energy crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war, local criticism over crypto mining’s energy use has intensified. Rising power prices have led to calls for stricter regulation and even outright bans on mining activities.
The Labour government plans to invoke provisions in Norway’s Planning and Building Act, which govern energy allocation, to enforce the new restrictions.
Karianne Tung, Norway’s Minister of Digitalization and Public Governance, stated, “The Labour government has a clear intention to limit crypto mining as much as possible. It consumes an enormous amount of electricity and provides little to no benefit in terms of jobs or income for local communities.”
