Pakistan to Use 2,000MW of Surplus Power to Boost Bitcoin Mining and AI Development

Pakistan has unveiled a bold new initiative to power its digital economy by allocating 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national plan targeting Bitcoin mining and AI data centres.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the move is part of a wider strategy to make use of the country’s excess electricity, which has grown due to increased solar adoption and underutilized capacity in the national grid. By redirecting surplus power to energy-intensive industries like cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence processing, Pakistan hopes to create jobs, attract foreign investors, and generate revenue.

The plan is being driven by the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body established in March 2025 to regulate and promote blockchain technology and digital assets. The council is chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, with Bilal Bin Saqib as CEO and Binance founder Changpeng Zhao serving as a strategic adviser.

Special energy tariffs are expected to be introduced to support the initiative and make Pakistan a competitive destination for global tech firms. Site selection for mining centres will prioritize areas with surplus electricity supply.

This development signals a major policy shift for Pakistan as it positions itself at the intersection of technology and energy, following in the footsteps of other nations tapping into crypto and AI for economic transformation.