Georgia to Install Electricity Meters in Mestia to Combat Illegal Bitcoin Mining
By
@cointelegraph
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
Georgia's Vice Prime Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze announced a crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency mining operations in the Mestia region, which officials say is severely straining the local power grid. Illegal mining has driven electricity consumption to 133 million kilowatt-hours in 2025 — over 13 times the level of comparable municipalities — causing grid overload, frequent outages, and an estimated $9.5 million in annual damages. The government plans to install electricity meters across villages and settlements in Mestia to combat the issue.
Key quotes
· 2 pulledIllegal mining had pushed Mestia's electricity consumption to 133 million kilowatt-hours in 2025, more than 13 times the level of comparable municipalities
Large-scale illegal mining operations have led to deteriorating energy supply and grid overload, resulting in numerous outages in the region
You might also wanna read
Miscalculation by Spanish power grid operator REE contributed to blackout
Satellite imagery reveals thermal footprint of major Texas Bitcoin mining facility
Satellite imagery from UK company SatVu reveals the significant thermal footprint of one of the largest Bitcoin mining facilities in Rockdal
space.com·5mo ago
Maine Advances First Statewide Moratorium on Large Data Centers Through 2027
Maine's Democratic-controlled legislature has advanced the nation's first statewide moratorium on large data centers, temporarily blocking p
gadgetreview.com·1mo ago
Rising Electricity Bills Emerge as Key Political Issue in Recent Elections
The article analyzes how rising electricity bills became a key political issue in recent elections, contributing to Democratic victories in
The Verge·6mo agoRules, Not Renewables, Might Explain the Iberian Blackout
Georgia Data Center Used 29 Million Gallons of Water Through Unbilled Meters, Causing Resident Pressure Drops
A Blackstone-owned QTS data center campus in Fayetteville, Georgia, drew 29 million gallons of municipal water through unbilled meters that
thecoolingreport.com·2mo ago