⚡️ South Africa’s Eskom Eyes Bitcoin Mining to Solve Power Crisis — Smart Move or Risky Gamble? By ChainFabricNews

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Image source: CryptoRank

In a surprising and bold move, Eskom, South Africa’s struggling state-owned power utility, is exploring the idea of using its excess electricity to mine Bitcoin and power AI-driven data centers. This strategy aims to tackle Eskom’s massive R403 billion ($22.7 billion) debt, which has put the utility — and the country — under immense pressure.

This development has sparked serious debate. Can cryptocurrency mining be a lifeline for Eskom? Or is it just another risky bet in the energy crisis?

⚙️ Why Bitcoin Mining?

Bitcoin mining is the process of verifying and adding new transactions to the Bitcoin blockchain — and it requires a lot of electricity. In countries with cheap or excess power, Bitcoin mining can be highly profitable.

Eskom’s CEO, Dan Marokane, recently hinted that by creating AI-powered data centers and mining Bitcoin, the company could monetize surplus electricity and generate new revenue streams. This could be especially useful during off-peak hours when electricity demand is low but production remains high.

Simply put: why waste energy when you can earn Bitcoin from it?

💰 The Money Side

Let’s talk numbers. Bitcoin’s price remains high in 2025 — hovering around $65,000. A moderately scaled mining setup could bring in millions of rands in monthly revenue if done right. Combine this with the rising demand for AI and cloud data services, and Eskom sees a potential tech-driven path out of its financial nightmare.

This plan could also reduce Eskom’s reliance on government bailouts, which have frustrated taxpayers for years.

⚠️ But Not Everyone Is Excited…

Critics have serious concerns. Some worry that Eskom can barely keep the lights on — so how can it power mining rigs and data centers without worsening load shedding?

There are also environmental issues. Bitcoin mining is energy-intensive and has often been criticized for contributing to carbon emissions. Given that much of Eskom’s electricity still comes from coal, this could clash with South Africa’s climate goals.

Others say Eskom should focus on fixing core operations and improving infrastructure, rather than diving into risky tech ventures.

🌐 A Sign of the Times

Still, Eskom isn’t the only one exploring this path. Countries like El Salvador, Bhutan, and even some US states are already tapping into Bitcoin mining as a way to make use of unused or excess energy.

If done transparently and responsibly, Eskom could position South Africa as a tech-savvy innovator — not just in crypto, but in AI and data technology too.

✅ Final Thoughts

Eskom’s idea to enter the Bitcoin mining world is both exciting and controversial. It shows how traditional industries are starting to embrace digital assets and smart technologies in creative ways.

Whether this bold plan succeeds or fails, it’s clear that crypto is no longer just for traders and tech geeks. It's becoming a serious tool for governments, utilities, and public institutions — especially those in crisis.

So, what do you think? Is Eskom’s move visionary or dangerous? Let us know in the comments!

 

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