Bitcoin mining in Iceland will soon use more energy than the general population uses

An amazing story on cryptocurrency mining from Iceland

We all know cryptocurrency mining is energy intensive but this is astounding.

Electricity use for mining is set to exceed that of the population’s normal usage
By the end of 2018 electricity usage by miners will double to 100mw
Huge construction sites to house mining rigs have been springing up around Iceland

Iceland is a favoured choice for miners due to the fact that it is a great source of geothermal and renewable energy. It’s also flipping cold, which mining farms are utilising to help cool their rigs. One farm building only has partial walls so it can use the cold winds to cool it down.

Aside from the extreme energy usage by miners, it’s what happens after Bticoin is all mined out that matters. Sure, some will move on to new mining opportunities but there’s going to be many who quit. What happens to all the rigs and buildings that have gone up? This new industry should be getting slaughtered by environmentalists.

AP has the full story.