The closure of a Bitcoin mining facility in the Norwegian town of Hadsel has led to a 20% increase in electricity bills for residents. The mine was shut down after the municipality declined to renew its permit due to noise complaints.
Kryptovault operated the mining facility for 20% of local power company Noranett's revenue. With the loss of its largest customer, Noranett is raising prices for households to compensate.
Locals had complained for years about noise from the mine's cooling fans. However, due to the closure, residents are now faced with paying several hundred dollars more per year for electricity.
"When such a large individual customer switches off overnight, it has an impact," said a Noranett manager. The company estimates bills could rise by up to $300 monthly.
While unhappy about the price hikes, Hadsel's mayor said the municipality must deal with the consequences of losing a major power consumer under the regulations. He said the town will now seek new projects to utilize the excess energy capacity.
The situation highlights how Bitcoin mining can help reduce electricity costs by distributing grid expenses to a larger customer base. Bitcoin mine's continued operation would have prevented the rate spike for citizens.
The incident has fueled debate in Norway about imposing restrictions on energy-intensive mining. This could force miners to relocate operations abroad and can further lead to an increase in prices for residents.
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