Pakistan's 2,000 MW Electricity Allocation for Crypto Mining: What It Means and Why It Matters

Pakistan's 2,000 MW Electricity Allocation for Crypto Mining: What It Means and Why It Matters
Selene Marwood / Dec, 5 2025 / Cryptocurrency News

Pakistan Crypto Mining Calculator

How much can you mine?

Calculate Bitcoin mining potential using Pakistan's electricity rates (23-24 PKR/kWh = $0.08 USD).

Estimated Output

Pakistan Electricity Rates
Daily BTC Output 0.042
Based on 24/7 operation and 50% efficiency
Annual BTC Output 15.3
Assuming 365 days of operation
Annual Revenue $8.6M
At current Bitcoin price
Key Assumptions
  • Electricity rate: 23-24 PKR/kWh ($0.08 USD)
  • Power consumption: 1 TH/s = 300 kWh/day
  • Mining efficiency: 50% (real-world operational efficiency)
  • Current Bitcoin price: $60,000 (adjust in calculator)

Pakistan just gave 2,000 megawatts of electricity to crypto mining - and no one saw it coming.

In May 2025, Pakistan announced it would dedicate 2,000 MW of its surplus electricity to Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. That’s not a small number. It’s more than the entire power output of some small countries. And it’s happening in a nation where rolling blackouts used to be common, where factories shut down because the grid couldn’t handle demand, and where power plants sat idle at just 15% capacity.

This isn’t a loophole. It’s policy. The government, through the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), is openly encouraging crypto mining as a way to turn wasted energy into cash. They’re not just allowing it - they’re building infrastructure for it. And they’re doing it while the IMF is raising eyebrows.

Why Pakistan has so much surplus power

Pakistan generates about 27,000 MW of electricity, but only uses around 20,000 MW on average. That leaves 7,000 MW sitting unused - mostly from coal plants that were built to meet future demand that never came. These plants are expensive to run, and without enough customers, they’re losing money. Every hour they sit idle, Pakistan loses about 2.8 trillion Pakistani rupees a year in wasted potential.

Enter crypto mining. Bitcoin miners don’t care if it’s day or night. They don’t need sunlight or human operators. They just need steady, cheap power. And Pakistan has it - in massive amounts. The 2,000 MW allocated is nearly 30% of that surplus. That’s not a drop in the bucket. It’s a flood.

The numbers behind the deal

Here’s what 2,000 MW means in real terms:

  • At current Bitcoin prices, this setup could mine up to 17,000 BTC per year.
  • That’s worth roughly $1.8 billion annually.
  • The electricity rate for miners is set at 23-24 Pakistani rupees per kWh - about $0.08. That’s half the average cost in Texas and far below Europe’s $0.15+ rates.
  • For comparison, the global average for mining electricity is $0.03-$0.15 per kWh. Pakistan’s rate sits comfortably in the sweet spot: cheap enough to profit, but not so low it’s seen as a giveaway.

That’s not a subsidy. It’s a business model. The government isn’t giving away power - it’s selling it at a price that covers maintenance and turns dead assets into revenue. The coal plants that were losing money are now running at 50-60% capacity. That’s a win.

A twilight data center in Lahore with glowing holograms and solar panels on the roof.

Who’s running the show?

The Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) is the engine behind this. Created in March 2025 under Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Bilal Bin Saqib, the PCC isn’t just a talking shop. It’s coordinating with power utilities, international mining firms, and tech companies to get hardware on the ground.

They’ve already got 22 existing data centers in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad - operated by companies like PTCL, Multinet, and Cybernet. These aren’t new builds. They’re being retrofitted. Solar projects are being added too. The University of Turbat launched a 1MW solar-powered data center back in 2023. That’s a hint: Pakistan isn’t just using coal. It’s building a hybrid grid.

And then there’s Changpeng Zhao. Yes, that CZ - co-founder of Binance. He’s now a strategic adviser to the PCC. His involvement isn’t symbolic. It means major exchange infrastructure, liquidity, and global credibility are now tied to Pakistan’s success.

Why the IMF is worried

Not everyone is cheering. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called the electricity subsidy a “distortion.” They’re worried about fairness. If miners get $0.08/kWh, what about factories? Hospitals? Households? The IMF argues that subsidies like this have failed before - like when Pakistan gave cheap power to textile mills and ended up with no revenue and no reform.

But here’s the twist: Pakistan isn’t offering a blanket subsidy. They’re offering a contracted rate for a specific use case: energy-intensive tech infrastructure. The PCC says miners will pay upfront for grid upgrades and will be subject to real-time pricing if demand spikes. The IMF hasn’t blocked the plan - they’re still in talks. That’s not a no. It’s a “show us the plan.”

And Pakistan is responding. They’ve introduced their first-ever national cryptocurrency policy in April 2025. It includes KYC rules, licensing for exchanges, and compliance with FATF standards. They’re not just mining Bitcoin. They’re building a legal digital economy.

A hidden Bitcoin reserve vault at night, glowing servers under moonlight with a child and robot watching.

How this changes the global mining map

Before 2021, China mined 70% of Bitcoin. After the ban, miners scattered to Kazakhstan, the U.S., and Russia. But those places are crowded. Power is tight. Taxes are rising. In Texas, miners fight with homeowners over grid strain. In Kazakhstan, electricity prices jumped 40% in 2024.

Pakistan is different. It’s not competing for power - it’s using excess. It’s not in a power crisis - it’s solving one. And it’s positioned as a digital bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Fiber optic cables are already being laid. Data centers are being built with redundancy, cooling, and security in mind.

This isn’t just about Bitcoin. It’s about AI. The same 2,000 MW will power AI training clusters. That’s a $500 billion market by 2030. Pakistan isn’t just mining coins - it’s training models, hosting cloud services, and attracting global tech firms.

What’s next? The road ahead

Phase 1 is 2,000 MW. Phase 2? Possibly 5,000 MW. The government has already unveiled its first strategic Bitcoin reserve - not for speculation, but as a national asset. They’re buying and holding BTC as a hedge against currency volatility.

But challenges remain. Grid stability is one. Mining rigs run 24/7. Can the grid handle that without blackouts? Pakistan’s power authority says yes - with smart load balancing and real-time monitoring. They’re working with Siemens and other tech partners to install AI-driven grid controls.

Then there’s regulation. Pakistan needs to prove it’s not a money laundering hub. So far, they’re ahead of the curve. Licensing, traceability, and FATF compliance are baked into the system. They’re not hiding. They’re advertising.

And the world is watching. Countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and Indonesia are already asking for briefings. If Pakistan pulls this off, it won’t just be a mining hub - it’ll be a blueprint for other nations with surplus power and economic pressure.

Can it really work?

Yes - if they stick to the plan. The electricity isn’t free. Miners pay for it. The government isn’t giving handouts - it’s monetizing waste. The IMF isn’t shutting it down - it’s negotiating. The miners aren’t fly-by-night operators - they’re signing multi-year contracts with real capital.

This isn’t a gamble. It’s a calculation. Pakistan had a problem: idle power plants costing billions. Now, they have a solution: a global demand for cheap energy. They didn’t wait for permission. They built the bridge.

If you’re wondering whether this is a bubble - look at the data. 17,000 BTC a year isn’t hype. It’s math. $1.8 billion in revenue isn’t fantasy. It’s a ledger. And the fact that Binance’s founder is advising them? That’s not luck. That’s confidence.

Pakistan didn’t become a crypto powerhouse by accident. They looked at their surplus, their debt, their youth, and their need for jobs - and they chose innovation over fear.

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Pakistan's 2,000 MW Electricity Allocation for Crypto Mining: What It Means and Why It Matters

Pakistan's 2,000 MW Electricity Allocation for Crypto Mining: What It Means and Why It Matters

20 Comments

  • Image placeholder

    Lore Vanvliet

    December 5, 2025 AT 11:31
    This is literally the most insane thing I've ever seen. 🤯 Pakistan is giving away electricity to crypto bros while kids can't charge their phones? Who the hell approved this? The IMF is right to be worried. This isn't innovation-it's national suicide.
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    Scott SĆĄn

    December 7, 2025 AT 04:09
    Bro. Pakistan just turned their power grid into a Bitcoin casino and called it ‘economic strategy.’ I’m not mad, I’m impressed. 😎 The coal plants that were rusting into oblivion are now humming like a Tesla factory. This is the most chaotic, beautiful, unhinged economic play since the tulip bubble. I love it.
  • Image placeholder

    Frank Cronin

    December 8, 2025 AT 01:48
    Let me guess-this is the same ‘innovation’ that gave us 20% inflation and 40% youth unemployment? You’re telling me we’re supposed to applaud a country that monetizes its failures? And now CZ is involved? Please. This isn’t a business model. It’s a Ponzi dressed in a sherwani. The only thing being mined here is trust.
  • Image placeholder

    Nicole Parker

    December 9, 2025 AT 07:52
    I think there’s something really beautiful here, honestly. Pakistan had a problem-massive wasted energy-and instead of just complaining or waiting for handouts, they looked at what the world needed: cheap, reliable power for tech. It’s not perfect, sure. But they’re not stealing from the people-they’re turning dead assets into something useful. Maybe this is what resilience looks like when you’re out of options.
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    Cristal Consulting

    December 10, 2025 AT 22:41
    This is actually kind of genius. Power plants sitting idle? Miners need steady juice? Sounds like a match made in tech heaven. Let’s not forget-this isn’t free power. It’s a contract. And if it brings in $1.8B a year? That’s funding schools, hospitals, roads. Let the haters hate. Progress isn’t pretty.
  • Image placeholder

    Elizabeth Miranda

    December 11, 2025 AT 09:10
    I’ve lived in three countries where power outages meant dinner was cold and kids couldn’t study. To see a nation turn its biggest weakness into a global advantage? That’s not luck. That’s strategic vision. The IMF’s concerns are valid, but they’re also stuck in 2010. This isn’t subsidy-it’s monetization. And it’s working.
  • Image placeholder

    Annette LeRoux

    December 13, 2025 AT 06:20
    I keep thinking about how weird it is that Bitcoin mining is now a tool for national development. Like… who would’ve guessed? 🤔 We used to think of it as a shady underground thing. Now it’s helping countries rebuild their grids, attract tech talent, and even fund AI research. Maybe the future isn’t about owning land-it’s about owning energy and data.
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    Jerry Perisho

    December 13, 2025 AT 07:03
    2000MW is 2 gigawatts. At 23 PKR/kWh, that’s about 17.5TWh annually. At 17k BTC/year, that’s roughly 1150 kWh per BTC. That’s within global average efficiency. Grid stability is the real question. Smart load balancing + Siemens AI? Possible. But they need real-time data, not just promises.
  • Image placeholder

    Manish Yadav

    December 14, 2025 AT 15:27
    This is a joke. Pakistan is poor. Why give power to rich foreigners? Why not give it to factories? To homes? To schools? This is corruption with a tech label. I am ashamed.
  • Image placeholder

    Krista Hewes

    December 14, 2025 AT 16:05
    i mean… i get why ppl are mad but like… if the power was just sitting there and rotting… and now it’s making money… and the miners are paying for upgrades… isn’t that better than nothing? idk i’m just trying to see both sides lol
  • Image placeholder

    Noriko Robinson

    December 14, 2025 AT 18:59
    I think this is one of those moments where you have to ask: is this helping people? If the revenue from this goes into infrastructure, healthcare, education-then yes. It’s not perfect, but it’s real. And real change doesn’t come from waiting for permission. It comes from building while others debate.
  • Image placeholder

    Mairead StiĂšbhart

    December 16, 2025 AT 09:01
    Ah yes, the classic ‘we’re not subsidizing, we’re just selling surplus’ excuse. Reminds me of when my ex said ‘I didn’t cheat, I just didn’t tell you about the other girl.’ Sweetheart, if you’re suddenly offering your fridge to strangers because you’re bored, you’re still just being weird.
  • Image placeholder

    Doreen Ochodo

    December 16, 2025 AT 14:37
    This is the future. Countries with excess energy will become digital hubs. Pakistan is leading. The world’s moving to where power is cheap and stable. This isn’t crypto hype-it’s infrastructure evolution. And it’s happening now.
  • Image placeholder

    Yzak victor

    December 17, 2025 AT 06:50
    Honestly? I’m surprised no one’s talking about how this could be a model for Africa. Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt-they all have similar problems. Surplus power. No buyers. Why not copy this? It’s not about crypto. It’s about using waste to build value.
  • Image placeholder

    Holly Cute

    December 17, 2025 AT 22:31
    Let’s be real. The only reason this works is because Pakistan has zero enforcement capacity. Miners will run their rigs, pay the low rate, and disappear if the IMF pressures them. The ‘licensing’ and ‘FATF compliance’? That’s theater. The moment BTC price drops, those rigs go dark and the grid collapses again. This isn’t strategy. It’s a gamble with a national power grid.
  • Image placeholder

    Josh Rivera

    December 18, 2025 AT 05:32
    CZ is advising them? Oh wow. So now the guy who ran a $60B exchange into the ground is a national policy advisor? Brilliant. The IMF is right. This is a dumpster fire with a blockchain logo. You don’t fix poverty by turning your country into a crypto data center. You fix it by fixing your schools, your hospitals, your roads. Not by selling your soul to miners.
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    Neal Schechter

    December 19, 2025 AT 17:49
    I’ve worked with power grids in 8 countries. What Pakistan is doing is technically sound. The real challenge isn’t the mining-it’s the grid’s ability to handle 24/7 load without degradation. If they’ve got Siemens AI and real-time monitoring, they’ve got a shot. But they’ll need constant maintenance. This isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a long-term commitment.
  • Image placeholder

    Madison Agado

    December 19, 2025 AT 19:30
    I keep wondering if this is the first time a nation has turned its economic desperation into a global advantage. Not by begging for aid. Not by privatizing everything. But by finding a niche no one else wanted and making it work. Maybe the lesson isn’t about crypto. Maybe it’s about seeing potential where others only see waste.
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    Tisha Berg

    December 20, 2025 AT 16:35
    I hope this works. Not because I love crypto. But because I love seeing people find a way out of hard places. If this brings jobs, power stability, and dignity to families who’ve lived with blackouts for decades… then it’s worth trying. Even if it’s messy.
  • Image placeholder

    Frank Cronin

    December 21, 2025 AT 02:40
    And yet, somehow, the same people who scream about ‘corporate greed’ are now cheering for a nation to hand over its energy to billionaires. You’re not a progressive. You’re a hypocrite.

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