Pakistan allocates 2,000MW to energy-to-cryptocurrency strategy The Block
The decision made by Pakistan to dedicate 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining energy allocation represents more than just another country embracing cryptocurrency – it signals a potentially significant approach to addressing chronic energy overcapacity through digital asset generation.
The South Asian nation’s announcement, organised by the newly established Pakistan Cryptocurrency Council (PCC), marks the first phase of an ambitious plan to convert surplus electricity into cryptocurrency revenue. The energy-to-cryptocurrency arbitrage strategy could serve as a blueprint for other developing economies grappling with similar infrastructure challenges.
From liability to asset: Pakistan’s energy gambit
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb framed the initiative as a “pivotal moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey,” emphasising how the country plans to turn “excess energy into innovation, investment, and international revenue.”
The Pakistan Bitcoin mining energy allocation strategy addresses an economic problem – underutilised power generation capacity that represents a financial liability. According to the Finance Division’s statement, “Pakistan’s underutilised power generation capacity is now being repurposed into a high-value digital asset. “
The approach recognises that Bitcoin mining and AI data centres, with their consistent and heavy energy use patterns, provide a way to redirect idle energy from plants operating below capacity.
Strategic positioning and global context
The timing of Pakistan’s move coincides with a significant supply-demand imbalance in the global AI infrastructure market. While AI data centre demand has soared beyond 100 gigawatts globally, supply remains constrained at approximately 15 gigawatts – creating what officials describe as an “unprecedented opportunity” for countries with surplus power and available land.
PCC CEO Bilal Bin Saqib, who also serves as chief adviser to the finance minister, emphasised the transformative potential: “With proper regulation, transparency, and international collaboration, Pakistan can become a global cryptocurrency and AI powerhouse.”
His vision extends beyond immediate revenue generation to longer-term accumulation of Bitcoin directly into a national wallet, which could potentially mark “a monumental shift from selling power in Pakistani rupees to using digital assets for economic stability.”
Infrastructure advantages and competitive edge
Pakistan’s current advantages extend beyond surplus energy. The recent landing of the Africa-2 Cable Project – a 45,000-kilometer submarine internet cable connecting 33 countries – has enhanced the country’s digital infrastructure.
That development addresses connectivity requirements for Bitcoin mining energy allocation operations and AI data centres, providing the bandwidth, reduced latency, and redundant fibre routes necessary for high-availability operations.
The country’s geographic position as a “digital bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East” offers additional value, particularly compared to regional competitors facing rising power costs and land scarcity constraints.
Regulatory framework and market response
The initiative is in line with Pakistan’s recent decision to legalise cryptocurrency, with the PCC launched in March to “regulate and integrate blockchain technology and digital assets” in the country’s finances.
The regulatory clarity has already generated interest from international Bitcoin miners and data infrastructure companies, with several firms conducting exploratory visits. More are expected following the official announcement.
The government has indicated plans for incentives including tax holidays, customs duty exemptions on equipment, and reduced taxes for AI infrastructure developers.
Broader implications and future phases
Pakistan’s approach to Bitcoin mining energy allocation represents only the initial phase of a multi-stage digital infrastructure rollout. Future developments are expected to incorporate renewable energy sources, using the country’s substantial wind power potential of 50,000MW in the Gharo-Keti Bandar corridor, along with solar and hydropower resources.
With over 40 million cryptocurrency users, Pakistan possesses a substantial domestic market foundation for digital asset services. The establishing of local AI data centres addresses growing data sovereignty concerns and potentially creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs in engineering, IT, and data sciences.
Critical considerations
While Pakistan’s energy-to-cryptocurrency strategy presents some economic logic, its success will depend largely on the success of its execution, regulatory consistency, and the ability to maintain competitive energy pricing as demand increases. The initiative also raises questions about energy allocation priorities and the long-term sustainability of using electricity for cryptocurrency mining versus other productive uses.
Pakistan’s Pakistan Bitcoin mining energy allocation experiment offers a case study in how developing nations might monetise infrastructure overcapacity. Whether this model proves successful could influence similar strategies in other energy-rich but economically constrained economies worldwide.
See also: Pakistan eyes blockchain to improve remittance flow and cut costs
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