Pakistan plans to invest surplus electricity in Bitcoin mining and AI

Odaily News Pakistan is using 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity for bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence to reduce waste and boost technological development.
As of March 2025, Pakistan has an installed power generation capacity of 46,600 MW, a slight increase from the previous year. Nearly 14% of this capacity is idle, especially during the off-peak winter season, when demand can drop to 12,000 MW.
Pakistan aims to convert surplus electricity from Pakistan's underutilized thermal power plants into a source of revenue through Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers. The move aims to convert the financial burden of capacity tariffs into high-value digital assets. The first phase of Pakistan's Bitcoin mining plan will be launched in 2025, allocating 2,000 megawatts of electricity for mining and artificial intelligence data centers. Future phases plan to integrate renewable energy (solar, wind, hydropower), marking a long-term shift of these operations to sustainable energy. (Cointelegraph)