Quebec Halts Bitcoin Mining Power Requests Amid Booming Demand

Hydro-Quebec will temporarily stop processing requests from cryptocurrency miners so that it can continue to fulfill its obligations to supply electricity to the entire province.

Canada’s biggest electric utility is facing “unprecedented” demand from blockchain companies that exceeds Hydro-Quebec’s short- and medium-term capacity, according to a statement Thursday. In the coming days, Hydro-Quebec will file an application to the province’s energy regulator proposing a selection process for blockchain industry projects.

Hydro-Quebec has been courting cryptocurrency miners in recent months in a bid to soak up surplus energy from dams in northern Quebec. Power rates in the province are the lowest in North America, both for consumers and industrial customers.

Regie de l’energie, as the provincial regulator is called, will be instructed to reserve a block of energy for cryptocurrency miners and to set a specific rate for the industry while…