Quebec Throws Cold Water on Bitcoin Miners Seeking Cheap Power

  • Premier not interested if business adds no value to economy
  • Comments add to Hydro-Quebec saying can’t accommodate everyone

An employee changes the fan on a mining machine at a cryptocurrency farming facility in Farnham, Quebec, Canada, on, Jan. 24. 

Photographer: Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg
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Quebec’s potential as a Bitcoin-mining nirvana is starting to fizzle.

Earlier this week, Hydro-Quebec warned that there won’t be cheap power available for every company that wants to set shop in the province and suggested it may set a higher tariff for cryptocurrency miners. On Friday, the government -- the utility’s owner -- questioned the companies’ contribution to the province’s economy.