Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy has launched a decisive campaign aimed at tackling illegal cryptocurrency mining operations, which have raised concerns over the country’s energy consumption.
On Sunday, Fatima Jawhar Hayat, the official spokesperson for the ministry, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the efficiency and sustainability of Kuwait’s electricity system. As part of this effort, the ministry has undertaken a comprehensive field campaign in the Wafra Residential Area, focusing on residential properties suspected of engaging in illicit cryptocurrency mining.
The operation, which began last week, was coordinated with a larger security initiative led by acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. It also saw participation from key government officials, including Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem, the Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy; Abdullatif Al-Mishari, the Minister of State for Municipal and Housing Affairs; and Omar Al-Omar, the Minister of State for Communications Affairs.
The campaign specifically targeted residences believed to be using substantial amounts of electricity for cryptocurrency mining, a practice that has raised alarms due to its potential strain on the country’s energy infrastructure. According to Hayat, a thorough technical analysis of electricity usage in the area revealed a significant reduction in consumption—approximately 55 percent—despite rising ambient temperatures during the same period.
“This reduction in electricity consumption occurred even with the observed increase in local temperatures, highlighting the effectiveness of the ongoing efforts to curb these illegal activities,” Hayat stated in a press release on Saturday. “Collaborative measures are being taken nationwide to eliminate such operations.”
The crackdown is part of a broader effort by Kuwaiti authorities to address the rising concerns over the environmental and economic impact of illegal cryptocurrency mining. The practice, which requires substantial energy resources, has been flagged for its potential to disrupt the balance of the nation’s power grid, especially during peak demand periods.
While Kuwait continues to explore strategies for managing energy use more effectively, authorities remain focused on ensuring that these illicit mining operations do not interfere with the country’s broader sustainability goals.
As the investigation continues, the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy is working closely with other governmental bodies to identify and dismantle illegal mining operations, protecting both the nation’s resources and its electricity grid.
