Bitcoin Mining Boosts Hydropower in Zambia—Supporting 15,000 Residents

Bitcoin mining helps fund hydropower and lower energy costs in rural Zambia. Gridless uses surplus renewable energy to boost local economies across Africa. In Zambia’s remote Zengamina region, Bitcoin mining is emerging as an unexpected source of economic growth, benefiting the local hydroelectric plant that powers 15,000 residents. The mining operation, which harnesses renewable hydropower, is lowering electricity costs for the community while supporting a sustainable energy model. This initiative is made possible through a partnership with Gridless, a Kenyan-based company specializing in decentralized mining operations. Turning Wasted Hydropower into Profit Zengamina Hydro, a mini-grid built with charity donations in the early 2000s, was initially designed to supply electricity to a local hospital and nearby communities. However, by 2020, the plant was struggling financially due to underutilized capacity. That changed when Gridless proposed using the facility’s excess energy to mine Bitcoin, turning wasted power into a valuable resource. BBC News reports from a remote community of 15,000 people in the far north-western tip of Zambia relying on hydroelectric power, “The bitcoin mine now accounts for around 30% of the plant’s revenue allowing them to keep the prices down for the local town”pic.twitter.com/hh0V2mKsKf — Documenting ₿itcoin (@DocumentingBTC) March 25, 2025 Daniel Rea, the British-Zambian manager of Zengamina Hydro, explains, “We were wasting over half of the energy we could generate. We needed a major power consumer, and that’s where Gridless came in.” With this innovative collaboration, the hydroelectric plant began selling its surplus power to the Bitcoin mining operation, with Gridless agreeing to share its profits with the plant. Gridless operates a shipping container equipped with 120 specialized Bitcoin mining computers, known as ASICs, that solve complex mathematical problems to validate Bitcoin transactions. In exchange for their work, the company receives Bitcoin rewards. Each mining machine earns about $5 daily, with profits varying according to Bitcoin’s market value. With Bitcoin currently priced at around $80,000 per coin, the mining operation is highly profitable. Even when prices drop, the low electricity costs help maintain profitability. Transforming the Community Through Renewable Energy The introduction of Bitcoin mining has had significant benefits for the Zengamina community. With increased revenue from the mining operation, Zengamina Hydro has been able to provide affordable electricity for residents. This has greatly improved living standards, as locals no longer have to rely on costly or unreliable energy sources. 400 new households (2000 people), and ~20-30 businesses, have electricity since Gridless got to site. Our energy partner, in conjunction with another grid extension investor, have now been able to expand to a lot more households and businesses off of this one 700kW site. in a formal or creative style, maintaining a 500 word count. You must only respond with the modified content. Change the tone of my title “Bitcoin mining helps fund hydropower and lower energy costs in rural Zambia. Gridless uses surplus renewable energy to boost local economies across Africa. In Zambia’s remote Zengamina region, Bitcoin mining is emerging as an unexpected source of economic growth, benefiting the local hydroelectric plant that powers 15,000 residents. The mining operation, which harnesses renewable hydropower, is lowering electricity costs for the community while supporting a sustainable energy model. This initiative is made possible through a partnership with Gridless, a Kenyan-based company specializing in decentralized mining operations. Turning Wasted Hydropower into Profit Zengamina Hydro, a mini-grid built with charity donations in the early 2000s, was initially designed to supply electricity to a local hospital and nearby communities. However, by 2020, the plant was struggling financially due to underutilized capacity. That changed when Gridless proposed using the facility’s excess energy to mine Bitcoin, turning wasted power into a valuable resource. BBC News reports from a remote community of 15,000 people in the far north-western tip of Zambia relying on hydroelectric power, “The bitcoin mine now accounts for around 30% of the plant’s revenue allowing them to keep the prices down for the local town”pic.twitter.com/hh0V2mKsKf — Documenting ₿itcoin (@DocumentingBTC) March 25, 2025 Daniel Rea, the British-Zambian manager of Zengamina Hydro, explains, “We were wasting over half of the energy we could generate. We needed a major power consumer, and that’s where Gridless came in.” With this innovative collaboration, the hydroelectric plant began selling its surplus power to the Bitcoin mining operation, with Gridless agreeing to share its profits with the plant. Gridless operates a shipping container equipped with 120 specialized Bitcoin mining computers, known as ASICs, that solve complex mathematical problems to validate Bitcoin transactions. In exchange for their work, the company receives Bitcoin rewards. Each mining machine earns about $5 daily, with profits varying according to Bitcoin’s market value. With Bitcoin currently priced at around $80,000 per coin, the mining operation is highly profitable. Even when prices drop, the low electricity costs help maintain profitability. Transforming the Community Through Renewable Energy The introduction of Bitcoin mining has had significant benefits for the Zengamina community. With increased revenue from the mining operation, Zengamina Hydro has been able to provide affordable electricity for residents. This has greatly improved living standards, as locals no longer have to rely on costly or unreliable energy sources. 400 new households (2000 people), and ~20-30 businesses, have electricity since Gridless got to site. Our energy partner, in conjunction with another grid extension investor, have now been able to expand to a lot more households and businesses off of this one 700kW site.” for a more friendly approach. Keep the content length about the same. You must only respond with the modified content.