Bitcoin Mining Energy Use in Context
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Recent data reveals Bitcoin mining consumed approximately 171 TWh in 2025, accounting for 16% of total data center energy consumption. This figure emerges against a backdrop where traditional data centers worldwide used between 448 and 1,050 TWh, according to varying estimates from Gartner, Socomec, and the IEA. The wide range in traditional data center estimates highlights the complexity of measuring digital infrastructure energy footprints.
While Bitcoin's energy consumption remains significant, placing it within the broader context of digital activities—including streaming, AI, and social media—provides crucial perspective. This comparative analysis suggests Bitcoin represents a substantial but not disproportionate component of global data center energy use, challenging narratives that single out cryptocurrency mining for disproportionate criticism.
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