Bitcoin Mining Demand Surges 38%, Driven by Higher Computing Power
Bitcoin mining's electricity demand has seen a significant increase of 38% over the past year, reaching around 190 TWh by December 2025. According to recent data, this surge in energy consumption is driven by the rise in mining machines and higher computing power.
The shift towards cleaner energy sources continues, with hydropower overtaking natural gas as the largest energy source for Bitcoin mining. Hydropower now accounts for 59.4% of the mining power mix from low-carbon sources, up from 52.4%. Despite this progress, total greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 20% to around 48 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent due to increased electricity consumption.
In addition to these changes, some miners are starting to allocate power to AI and high-performance computing in search of steadier revenue streams. This trend is expected to continue as more miners explore this shift. The full Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report is scheduled for release in 2026 with detailed energy breakdowns.