Sustainable Sources Power Over Half of Mining Operations

A new study from the “Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report 2025” reveals that the Bitcoin network’s annual electricity consumption is estimated at 138 terawatt-hours (TWh). This level of energy use generates approximately 39.8 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.

Despite the high consumption figures, the report highlights a significant trend toward sustainability. According to the data, 52.4% of the energy used for Bitcoin mining now comes from sustainable sources, a category that includes both renewable energy and nuclear power.

A Stark Contrast with Ethereum

The report also provides a comparison with Ethereum, which dramatically reduced its energy footprint after its “Merge” upgrade in September 2022. By transitioning from the energy-intensive Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to Proof of Stake (PoS), Ethereum cut its energy consumption by an estimated 99.9%, setting a different standard for environmental impact within the industry.

Broader Environmental Scrutiny

Experts cited in the report emphasize that Bitcoin’s environmental impact extends beyond electricity. Other critical factors include carbon emissions, water resource consumption, land use, and the generation of electronic waste. As the industry matures, governments are increasing their focus on the types of energy used in mining operations, the geographic location of these activities, and their overall external effects.