Bitcoin mining edges toward green dominance with 70% renewables by 2030

The decline in coal use and booming investment in solar and wind power suggest a sustainable future for Bitcoin mining.

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

Renewable energy could power over 70% of Bitcoin (BTC) mining operations by 2030, according to a report published by MiCA Crypto Alliance andh data analytics firm Nodiens.

The report highlighted that this shift comes as miners move away from fossil fuels in favor of cleaner alternatives like wind, solar, hydro, and energy from waste.

Renewable energy use in the mining sector stood at 41% by the end of 2024, compared to only 20% in 2011.

According to the report:

“The composition of renewable energy has diversified over time. Solar and wind energy have seen remarkable growth, reaching 6.07% and 10.86% of total energy consumption, respectively, by 2024.”

Meanwhile, the shift away from fossil fuels is already making an impact. Coal-based energy in Bitcoin mining dropped from 63% in 2011 to just 20% in 2024.

Embracing green energy

The report note that economic incentives, changing energy trends, and evolving climate policies shape the industry’s pivot to renewables. These factors will push renewable adoption further over the next five years.

Bitcoin climate analyst Daniel Batten also highlighted the growing body of research supporting this trend. Out of 18 peer-reviewed studies on Bitcoin and energy published since 2023, 16 found that mining contributes positively to climate efforts and supports global clean energy goals.

Batten also noted that mining operations can help balance electricity grids and accelerate the shift to sustainable energy.

Several mining firms are actively driving this transition. BTC Digital is one of the early adopters of integrating green energy into its operations.

At the same time, countries like Ethiopia and Bhutan are stepping into the spotlight. In 2024 alone, Ethiopia reportedly earned around $1 billion from Bitcoin mining by utilizing surplus electricity generated by its Grand Renaissance Dam, a major hydropower facility.