Bitcoin mining, an unexpected solution to avoid blackouts such as Spain?

«We lost 15 gigawatts in five seconds. I had never seen anything like that, » Eduardo Prieto confessed, from Red Electric, after the blackout that shook Spain on April 28, 2025. While the causes are still a mystery, a bitcoiner launches an unexpected proposal as is the fact that «Bitcoin mining could be the valve that stabilizes our electricity network.»

The blackout that left much of Spain without electricity on Monday has unleashed a debate on the stability of the electricity grid and the role of renewable energy. Among the possible causes, experts point to A critical gap between supply and demandaggravated by the dependence of variable sources such as solar and wind.

In the midst of this discussion, the user of X Tonimoral23 speaks of Bitcoin mining, often criticized for its high energy consumption, but could act as a tool to stabilize electrical networks.

In fact, in regions such as Texas, USA, Bitcoin miners already participate in network management programs. Their ability to turn on or off their operations makes them Ideal allies to balance supply and demand in real time.

«Renewables are the future, but its variable nature makes balance the electrical system in real time is increasingly complex. If the wind falls suddenly or if more energy is generated than the network can absorb, the risks of instability increase. «This is where an unexpected actor comes into play: Bitcoin’s mining,» says Toni Moral.

In Texas, this practice is already reality. Jaime Leverton, CEO of Hut 8 mining, explained in the 2023 World Economic Forum that mining farm, when off during demand peaks, release energy for essential homes and services. Companies such as Riot Platforms and Lancium collaborate with the Texas Electrical Reliability Council (ERCOT), monetizing renewable surpluses and stabilizing the network.

The Texas Model: Bitcoin Mining An ally of the Electric Red

Ercot manages the electricity network that serves approximately 90% of Texas, supervising the flow of energy to more than 26 million customers. Operating as an independent system operator, Ercot program the electricity of various sources. This is 45% natural gas, with increasing contributions of solar and wind energy in 2023, and guarantees the reliability of the network by balancing supply and demand in real time.

To address the growing energy demands of large flexible loads (LFL) such as Bitcoin mining facilities, Ercot implemented a voluntary reduction program in 2022, allowing facilities with a maximum demand of 75 MW or more reduce consumption during network stress.

As part of this system, Pablo Vegas, president of Ercot, values ​​the «operational characteristics» of Bitcoin miners, which They can reduce consumption in secondsa model that could prevent blackouts like Spanish. Steve Barbour, CEO of Upstream Data, adds that locating Bitcoin mining farms near generation points, such as wind farms, maximizes efficiency and reduces losses, a strategy applicable to Spain.

In any case, Venezuela offers an opposite warning. Juan Pinto, co -founder of Doctorminer, said in 2022 that mining does not cause blackouts, but uses surplus energy wasted by the lack of infrastructure. He proposed that the income of the miners could finance improvements in the network, but without considering it that way the Venezuelan government, blamed the farms for overloading a deficit system and prohibited mining in May 2024, confiscating more than 11,000 teams.

Texas and Venezuela’s experiences show that Bitcoin mining has a unique potential to avoid blackouts, But its success depends on how it is managed. Everything seems to indicate that the Texas model, where the miners collaborate with operators of the Electric Red to optimize it, is the most indicated to offer a better service.

In such a way that, for Bitcoin mining to be an ally to prevent a blackout in Spain, it would require a legal framework that balances benefits between companies and citizens, incentives to use renewable surpluses and consumption limits, as programs for response to Ercot’s demand.

Through this system, miners and consumers could be integrated into a more resilient system. Without these measures, Mining could fall into an instability factor, such as In Venezuela or Paraguay.

Therefore, aligning Bitcoin mining with renewable efficiency could illuminate the path to a future and sustainable future.