CryptoPotato
CryptoPotato
  • Crypto News
  • Margin Trading
  • Guides
    • Bitcoin & Crypto Guides 101
    • Bitcoin For Beginners
    • Editorials
  • DeFi & NFT
  • Buy
  • Language
    • Spanish
    • Turkish
    • German
    • Bulgarian
  • Crypto News
  • Bitcoin For Beginners
  • Cryptocurrency Guides 101
  • Editorials
  • Bitcoin & Crypto Margin Trading
  • DeFi & NFT News
  • Bitcoin Price Analysis
  • Ethereum (ETH) Price Analysis
  • Ripple (XRP) Price Analysis
  • Market Updates
  • Interviews
  • Buy Bitcoin with Card
  • CryptoPotato Spanish
  • CryptoPotato Turkey
  • CryptoPotato Germany
  • CryptoPotato Bulgaria
  • Market Updates
  • BTC Analysis
  • ETH Analysis
  • XRP Analysis
  • Interviews
CryptoPotato
CryptoPotato
  • Crypto News
  • Margin Trading
  • Guides
    • Bitcoin & Crypto Guides 101
    • Bitcoin For Beginners
    • Editorials
  • DeFi & NFT
  • Buy
  • Language
    • Spanish
    • Turkish
    • German
    • Bulgarian
  • Crypto News
  • Bitcoin For Beginners
  • Cryptocurrency Guides 101
  • Editorials
  • Bitcoin & Crypto Margin Trading
  • DeFi & NFT News
  • Bitcoin Price Analysis
  • Ethereum (ETH) Price Analysis
  • Ripple (XRP) Price Analysis
  • Market Updates
  • Interviews
  • Buy Bitcoin with Card
  • CryptoPotato Spanish
  • CryptoPotato Turkey
  • CryptoPotato Germany
  • CryptoPotato Bulgaria
Home » Crypto News » Bitcoin’s Annual Energy Use Has Already Passed 2020’s: Research

Bitcoin’s Annual Energy Use Has Already Passed 2020’s: Research

Author: Andrew Throuvalas

Last Updated Sep 18, 2021 @ 08:42

A recent report predicts that the network’s energy use will match that of Pakistan by the year’s end.

Getting your audio player ready...

While worries about Bitcoin’s energy use abound, new analysis shows that the network has already consumed more power than it did during the entirety of last year.

Bitcoin’s Rising Power Consumption

As reported by Bloomberg, “the network reportedly consumed about 67TWh of electricity in 2020, and its total consumption has already surpassed this in 2021”. By the end of the year, the analysts predict that Bitcoin will have used 91 TWh of electricity, rivaling the consumption of Pakistan. Further data forecasts an even higher number at 95 TWh.

This number has a tendency to fluctuate, however. Events such as the Bitcoin mining crackdown in China earlier this year took a tremendous amount of hash power off the Bitcoin network, which was as high as 141TWh in May, dropping to 68 TWh in June.

Generally, increased power consumption is also to be expected as Bitcoin’s price rises. Mining – the most energy-intensive aspect of the Bitcoin network – regularly rewards those that consume the most energy with new bitcoins. As the report points out, mining, therefore, becomes more profitable as Bitcoin’s value increases, drawing more energy to the network – even if it isn’t that efficient.

Is Bitcoin Energy Use A Dying Issue?

Many make the mistake of equating increased power consumption with environmental harm – which isn’t necessarily true when it comes to Bitcoin.

Data from July suggests that Bitcoin’s carbon footprint has declined significantly since Elon Musk raised concerns about it in May. This is largely due to the max exodus of hash power from China – a coal-reliant mining country – to locations with lower-cost renewable energy options such as Texas.

Furthermore, July’s “B-Word” conference offered some insights revealing that Bitcoin mining has always been relatively renewable. Figures suggest between 34-46% sustainable energy use on the network, while only being responsible for 0.1% of global CO2 emissions.

Even Elon Musk admitted at the time that Bitcoin mining was already trending further in the direction of renewable sources and that he would likely continue accepting Bitcoin for Tesla purchases as a result.

 

SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored)
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).

LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!

Tags: Bitcoin Bitcoin Hash Rate
Enjoy reading? Share with your friends
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram

About The Author

Andrew Throuvalas
More posts by this author

Andrew is a content writer with a passion for Bitcoin. He became familiar with Bitcoin back in 2013, but began diligently studying the blockchain technology and its economic implications in 2017. Ever since, he’s believed in the network’s power to replace the current global monetary system, and provide financial freedom to billions worldwide.
Contact: Medium | LinkedIn | Twitter

Join Our Community

FacebookX YouTubeTelegram


Editorials
How to Farm Airdrops on Hyperliquid (HYPE): The Complete Guide to Free Money This Crypto Cycle

How to Farm Airdrops on Hyperliquid (HYPE): The Complete Guide to Free Money This Crypto Cycle

How to Trade on Hyperliquid: The Ultimate Guide (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)

How to Trade on Hyperliquid: The Ultimate Guide (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)

12 Best Meme Coins to Watch in July 2025

12 Best Meme Coins to Watch in July 2025

7 Best Meme Coin Presales to Watch in July 2025

7 Best Meme Coin Presales to Watch in July 2025

Toobit Review 2025: Is Toobit a Safe Crypto Exchange?

Toobit Review 2025: Is Toobit a Safe Crypto Exchange?

Hyperliquid Bridge: How to Bridge USDC to Hyperliquid

Hyperliquid Bridge: How to Bridge USDC to Hyperliquid

10 Best Crypto Presales to Consider in July 2025

10 Best Crypto Presales to Consider in July 2025

Join Our Newsletter
Become a CryptoPotato VIP
One Weekly Email Can Change Your Crypto Life.
Sign-up FREE to receive our extended weekly market update and coin analysis report
We NEVER send spam. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!
Footer Logo
About
Advertise on CryptoPotato
About Us | Contact Us | Careers
Editorial Policy
Terms of service | Privacy Policy | GDPR
More Sections
IEO List | Evaluations
Airdrops
Scholarship
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: Information found on CryptoPotato is those of writers quoted. It does not represent the opinions of CryptoPotato on whether to buy, sell, or hold any investments. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use provided information at your own risk. Full disclaimer
© Copyright CryptoPotato 2016 - 2025
Scroll to top
One Daily Email Can Change Your Crypto Life.

Sign-up FREE to receive our extended daily market update and coin analysis report

We never send SPAM. You can unsubscribe at any moment
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!