AI Power Cap 2025: BC Prioritises Energy for Mines and Gas Jobs

The province, Canada’s third-most populous, has proposed an ai power cap to restrict electricity for AI data centers and curb crypto-intensive consumption. Officials say the change is intended to shift capacity toward resource sectors and curb new mining projects.

What policy changes would BC implement for AI data centers and mining?

How will the cryptocurrency mining ban work and who decides?

The proposal from British Columbia would ban new cryptocurrency mining projects and restrict electricity access for existing and proposed AI data centers, according to a draft announced on 20 October 2025 and reported by Reuters.

Regulators would recast the province’s electricity allocation rules to give industrial users priority. The measure is framed as an update to the province’s broader bc energy policy.

What changes affect ai data center energy and electricity allocation rules?

Under the plan, utilities would apply new electricity allocation rules that limit large, continuous loads for AI data center energy use while favouring sectors tied to jobs and provincial revenue.

In practical terms, the policy explicitly prioritizes power for mines and natural gas facilities to preserve employment and tax receipts. The draft focuses on curtailed access rather than an immediate shutdown of existing facilities.

Quick definitions:

• Cryptocurrency mining ban: a prohibition on new large-scale mining applications, as set out in the draft.
• Power grid prioritization: assigning available capacity to selected industries first to manage constrained supply.
• AI data center energy: high, continuous electricity demand from AI servers that can strain local transmission capacity.

How could these measures affect BC’s power grid and economy, In brief:

What are the near-term grid impacts and economic trade-offs?

Limiting AI data center access aims to reduce pressure on the grid and defer costly transmission upgrades, while redirecting capacity to mines and natural gas facilities that generate jobs and revenue.

That trade-off reflects a choice between accommodating new tech loads and protecting traditional resource-sector employment.

Officials argue that prioritising those sectors supports regional employment numbers, but net impacts depend on investment shifts and demand patterns. 

The broader implications for AI and crypto industries are significant; see Crypto: boom di Aptos negli RWA for context on market trends.

Who is cited and what is the timeline?

The draft cites industry employment and fiscal arguments and names Thomas Seal in coverage of the proposal.

Analysts warn that some impacts are contingent on grid modelling and provincial approvals, and that detailed interconnection standards will affect which projects proceed.

Energy-sector analysts say the proposal underscores the need for robust transmission planning and transparent allocation criteria to prevent unintended market distortions. 

In practice, experts argue, phased approvals and clear interconnection standards would reduce uncertainty for both industrial and tech investors.

BC Hydro states that “large, continuous loads must be carefully coordinated with system planning to maintain reliability and meet customer needs” (BC Hydro).

The proposal text and fiscal estimates require independent verification by the Fact Checker before publication.

Next steps include legislative review, stakeholder consultations, and utility rule changes to implement the new electricity allocation rules. Monitoring will focus on permit decisions, grid reports, and employment data over the coming quarters.

In brief, the proposal would ban new crypto mining and limit AI energy use to prioritise mines and natural gas facilities, aiming to protect jobs and provincial revenue while reshaping BC energy policy.