Russia and US in Talks to Manage Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant for Bitcoin Mining
Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that the US and Russia are engaged in discussions regarding the joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in Ukraine, without the participation of the Ukrainian government. According to Putin, the US has expressed interest in utilizing the plant’s electricity for Bitcoin mining purposes. This development has significant implications for the region’s energy landscape and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Background and Implications
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, was captured by Russian troops in March 2022. Since then, the plant has not been generating electricity for the grid due to its seizure by Russia. The six reactors are currently in a safety shutdown and rely solely on emergency diesel generators for essential cooling, with frequent cuts. This has led to a power grid crisis in Ukraine, exacerbated by Russian drone and missile attacks targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.
Analysts at the private intelligence agency Molfar conducted a study, which found that three active crypto mining pools with six miners in Ukraine likely consumed 33 kW per hour. The data was collected from July 2023 to June 2024 using various open sources. This information provides insight into the potential energy demands of cryptocurrency mining operations in the region.
International Community’s Stance
The international community, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has repeatedly emphasized that any decisions regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant without Ukraine’s participation are illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a joint operation of the plant with the US, highlighting the issue of Zaporizhzhia as one of the most challenging points of the US peace plan for Ukraine.
Currently, the US has not released an official statement regarding the ongoing negotiations on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant without Ukraine’s involvement. The situation remains complex, with significant implications for the region’s energy security, the ongoing conflict, and the future of cryptocurrency mining in Ukraine.
For more information on this developing story, please refer to the original source: https://cryptonews.com/news/russia-us-discuss-bitcoin-mining-at-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-sidelines-ukraine/
