US Bitcoin miners spent $2.7 billion on electricity in the first months of 2024. “Since the beginning of 2024, Bitcoin mining in the US has consumed 20,822.62 GWh of electricity” Thus Paul Hoffman of Best Brokers. “At February’s average rate of $0.1281 per kWh, this would cost $2,667,378,196.47.”
High amount of electricity
Hoffman explains how electric it really is. “This amount of energy could charge every electric vehicle in the United States 87.52 times, or power 1,983,107 homes for a year, which is approximately 1.51% of all homes.
Globally, 116,550 Bitcoin ($8.2 billion) will be mined from digital mines in 2024. US miners account for 44,102 bitcoins, or about 37.84% of global production.
Hoffman says that before the halving, miners spent $52,144 in electricity to mine one bitcoin. Now it has risen to an incredible $110,503. It means that miners are currently making losses.
However, Hoffman calculates the average business cost of electricity. Miners are of course located in strategic locations, so they pay less for their energy and can still make a profit.
Bitcoin and Sustainable Energy
Despite its high energy consumption, Bitcoin mining is the only global industry powered primarily by sustainable energy.
In January, Bitcoin ESG Forecast revealed that the network runs on 54.5% renewable energy. This is an increase of 3.6% compared to 2023.
After Bitcoin mining bans in China and Kazakhstan, miners mainly moved to green energy grids in North America.
Currently, about 19.5 million of the 21 million bitcoins are in circulation by miners. That way, far fewer bitcoins will hit the market in the coming years, which should have a positive effect on the price in the long run.
Trade €10,000 for free and get a €10 bonus
Are you looking to enter the world of crypto and buy Bitcoin or another crypto? Grab your chance with this exclusive offer! Thanks to a special agreement between Newsbit and Bitvavo, one of the most accessible and user-friendly crypto exchanges in Europe, our readers get an exclusive offer.
Create an account with Bitvavo with the button below and get 10 euros absolutely free. And that’s not all – you don’t even pay trading fees on your first €10,000 in transactions. Register now!
“Passionate analyst. Thinker. Devoted twitter evangelist. Wannabe music specialist.”
More Stories
From Concept to Creation: Designing Your Signature Acrylic Nails
How to Care for Your Marginated Tortoise Year-Round
Biden and Xi want to sit down one last time