The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) blocked Amazon's request to access power from Talen Energy’s Susquehanna nuclear plant, affecting the competitive energy market that also serves Bitcoin miners. This decision highlights the increasing energy demands of AI operations, which can outbid Bitcoin miners for power due to higher revenue potential. Experts predict that over the next five years, the U.S. Bitcoin mining industry may see a drastic downturn, with its global hashrate share declining from 40% to below 20% as miners are pushed to less competitive regions. AI's energy consumption is projected to surpass Bitcoin mining by 2027, requiring 240 TWh compared to Bitcoin's estimated 160 TWh. Additionally, some Bitcoin miners may transition their operations to AI as its profitability per megawatt-hour surpasses that of Bitcoin, although the specialized equipment used in Bitcoin mining poses challenges for such a shift.

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