Bitcoin Miners Are Back Online After Texas Electricity Restrictions, Hot Temperatures Cause

Bitcoin mining in Texas was disrupted by hot temperatures and rising electricity needs. (photo: doc. Pixabay)

JAKARTA - A large-scale bitcoin mining operation in Texas is back online after scorching temperatures sent electricity usage soaring AND led to power restrictions earlier in the month. This news was delivered by an industry group on Tuesday, 19 July.

All major bitcoin miners, who use energy-intensive supercomputers to mine the cryptocurrency, were forced to cease operations last week as temperatures soared in Lone Star state. This created electricity demand to an all-time high as residents and businesses turned on their air conditioners.

“The miners all came back the other day,” said Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council. "ERCOT returns to normal operating mode with more than 3,000 megawatts (MW) of spare capacity on the network."

The Texas Electrical Reliability Council (ERCOT), which operates the grid for more than 26 million customers and accounts for about 90% of the state's electricity load, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

Electricity use in Texas is expected to break records again this week as a prolonged heatwave keeps air conditioners on.