Guy Who Started Illegal Power Plant For Crypto Mining Faces Rs 42 Crore Fine

A company in Alberta, Canada was recently busted after they were found to be generating electricity illegally from their own power plant to run their mining PCs.

Representational Image: Reuters

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It is already established that cryptocurrency mining is a power-consuming affair that also contributes to massive carbon emissions. However, this is surely taking things to a whole new level.

Reported first by Motherboard, the power plant was set up by Vancouver-based data centre and power firm Link Global with an intention to mint Bitcoins. However, they built the power plant without receiving planning permission.

And now, Alberta¡¯s Utilities Commission (AUC) that regulates the electricity and natural gas wants to hit Link Global with a fine of $7.1 Canadian dollars or over Rs 42 crores.

AUC said in a statement to Motherboard, ¡°The AUC is in the midst of a proceeding to examine complaints it received from landowners related to Link Global¡¯s operations. The complaints centred on noise and were related to generating facilities the company installed and operated without meeting Alberta¡¯s legislative requirements (laws), including obtaining a licence through applying to the AUC.¡±

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A CBC report further highlighted that Link Global established the operation of four 1.25 MW generators in Sturgeon County last year. They made use of a dormant natural gas well to power the operation. Two such plants were set up without any approvals and one of them even ran for over 426 days.

AUC revealed that Link Global set up its operations without intimating the residents of the area. Most of them complained that the noise from the plant would give people sleepless nights.

Reuters

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Stephen Jenkins, CEO of Link Global acknowledged in a statement last week that the company had made some mistakes and his team would provide facts and evidence to show that the disgorgement order by AUC is unwarranted.

In a statement to Motherboard, Jenkins stated that the team set up the facility with their understanding of AUC regulations that under 10 MW and self-generation sections. Where they erred were the need to have better consultation, ensuring neighbourhood participation on potential noise impacts.

The hearing is scheduled for later this month that¡¯ll offer Link Global to clarify its stance and provide an argument against the disgorgement order.

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