Swiss lawmakers will assess the potential of Bitcoin mining to strengthen the country’s power grid

The Canton of Bern’s Parliament, one of Switzerland’s 26 administrative regions, recently approved a motion to explore Bitcoin mining to stabilize the energy grid using surplus power. The proposal was championed by Congressman Samuel Kullmann and passed with a vote of 85 to 46.

Kullmann took to social media platform X to share the outcome and thank those involved. The initiative aims to explore how the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus algorithm can help reduce energy waste and support renewable energy systems. The upcoming study will examine whether Bitcoin mining aligns with the Canton of Bern’s current energy policies.

• We recommend reading: Cryptocurrencies and Sustainability: Addressing the Energy Consumption Debate.

The bill, introduced in March by 23 congressmen calling themselves the “Bitcoin Parliamentary Group”, was inspired by the rise of crypto mining in regions like Texas, USA. The group called for a study to explore the mining potential in the Canton of Bern, but the cantonal government opposed the motion, citing concerns over the high energy consumption and questioning mining’s financial and regulatory implications.