“I changed the lives of people here”

The distant bitcoin mine in the northwest of Zambia generates a stir for its unconventional preparation: it is fully supported by cleaning Electrical energy From Zengamina power plant.

Managed by a Kenya -based company UndoubtedlyThe mine click to the extra electricity from the factory’s small range network to verify bitcoin transactions and profit generation, according to BBC.

The project sits near the Zambezi River, where the water rises through the turbines for fixed production, Low -cost energy. Inside the prepaid recharge container, each of the 120 computers earns about 5 dollars a day, depending on the volatile price of bitcoin.

the Zengamina Hydro It was originally built in the early first decade of the twentieth century through charity Donations To serve the local hospital and surrounding societies. But the adoption of slow energy in the area means that a lot of electricity went to waste – until it moved without sunset.

“Every day we were wasting more than half of the energy that we could generate, which also means that we do not gain from this to face our operating expenses,” said Daniel Raya, who runs Zenghamina. “We needed a major user of power in the region, and here the game change the game with Gridless.”

the Bitcoin mine It now consumes about 30 % of the factory production, which helps to support electricity for the nearby city, as only one store contains a refrigerator and children gather around one computer to detonate music.

Local residents like Barber Damian says that reaching power was transforming: “Until I got power I had nothing and could not do anything. When I got the power, I bought everything at the same time.”

“Electricity has changed the lives of people here,” added Lucy Machy, the city of Town.

However, critics warn that these types of solutions are not a silver bullet. While this preparation reduces emissions compared to the mines that feed it Dirty energy sourcesA high -level encryption mining Energy density industry.

Globally, Bitcoin uses electricity more than some countries, according to Polytechnique visionsAnd expanding it is linked to Increase retail prices And carbon pollutionEspecially when miners connect excessive public networks.

The question remains: Could the encryption mining be really sustainable? History makes warnings. The increase in mining 2021 in Kazakhstan caused a 7 % jump in the use of national electricity, which led to the power outage and the repression of the government, for each BBC. In the United States and Canada, miners faced the public backlash And I was forced Shut down During the lack of energy.

Gridless has faced resistance from some authorities and companies that still see bitcoin mining as an energy -related process that rural communities can use.

But this will not stop without sunset. The company raises tens of millions to build more water sites in the field of river throughout Africa to achieve bitcoin profits and reach rural areas.

Janet Menji, co -founder of the Janet Maygij Network Corporation, said to reach developmentable energy at reasonable and sustainable prices. BBC.

For networks, mining is not a competitor but a bridge for more access. He argues that his model gives priority to local demand first, maintaining this force will always flow to the most valuable place – this often means the societies themselves.

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