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Norway recently enacted legislation requiring all data centers within its borders to officially register, including those operated by Bitcoin miners. This move introduces mandatory disclosure of ownership details and the types of digital services provided by these facilities. Norway is the first country in Europe to implement such comprehensive regulations.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland explained that this policy aims to give local governments clearer insights into the operations of data centers, thereby enabling better decision-making about their presence in communities. Aasland emphasized, “The purpose is to regulate the industry in such a way that we can close the door for the projects we do not want.”
This development could complicate operations for Bitcoin miners, especially with the impending Bitcoin halving that will decrease the rewards for block mining. Aasland pointed out the environmental concerns associated with crypto mining, which he believes conflicts with Norway’s sustainability goals. “Crypto mining is linked with large greenhouse gas emissions, and is an example of a type of business we do not want in Norway,” Aasland stated.
Criticism has come from figures like Daniel Batten, Managing Partner at CH4 Capital and a respected scholar on the environmental sustainability of Bitcoin. He took to social media platform X to argue that Aasland’s comments demonstrate a clear lack of understanding about the energy usage and environmental impact of Bitcoin mining. Batten counters, “It’s Bitcoin mining, not crypto mining that’s happening in Norway. Bitcoin mining, like EVs, is a zero-emission fully electrified industry. In Norway, that is almost 100% renewable energy. So how can Bitcoin mining in Norway be linked to high emissions? Such a statement shows he doesn’t understand, or chooses to mislead people about emissions.”
He further notes that the majority of Norway’s power comes from renewable sources, making the high emissions link questionable. Batten highlighted that Bitcoin mining is among the industries with the highest sustainable energy usage globally, at 55%. “There are 6 peer reviewed publications emphasising the inaccuracy of prior literature on environmental impact, and endorsing Bitcoin mining’s positive environmental externalities,” Batten adds.
Batten also criticizes the minister’s selective approach to energy usage: “Aasland doesn’t have a problem with people using power for watching porn, a much higher energy user, but he has a problem with people using energy for Bitcoin mining.”
Earlier this year in March, Batten was first to respond to a GreenpeaceUSA smear campaign against Bitcoin.