In 2024, Britain paid wind farms £393 million to curtail 8.3 TWh of output, with 98% of the curtailed energy coming from Scotland. The Bitcoin Policy Institute argues that Bitcoin miners could buy this otherwise unused electricity by locating near wind farms and adjusting their consumption quickly. A May 2026 modeling analysis estimates that a 20 MW mining operation alongside a 100 MW wind farm could absorb 83% of the curtailed energy, increase system-wide revenue by 32%, and raise the wind farm’s effective capacity factor from 29% to 32%. The report warns that banking restrictions, along with inconsistent investment and tax rules, could prevent the UK from becoming a major Bitcoin mining hub. It also notes that Bitcoin already has legal recognition as property in the UK.
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