A groundbreaking partnership between Horeb Energy and waste management giant Veolia is mining Bitcoin at just 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in Colombia—half the North American average—by converting landfill biogas into clean electricity. The innovative project demonstrates how Bitcoin mining can transform environmental liabilities into profitable, sustainable operations while reducing methane emissions.
In a remarkable convergence of waste management and cryptocurrency mining, Horeb Energy has partnered with global environmental services leader Veolia to mine Bitcoin at an unprecedented 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in Norte de Santander, Colombia. This achievement represents roughly half the average electricity cost for Bitcoin miners in North America, potentially reshaping the economics of sustainable cryptocurrency operations.
The project converts methane-rich biogas from local landfills into electricity that powers Bitcoin mining operations. Methane, a greenhouse gas approximately 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. By capturing and utilizing this gas, the partnership simultaneously addresses environmental concerns while generating revenue through Bitcoin mining.
Veolia, a French multinational with extensive experience in waste management and energy services, brings crucial infrastructure expertise to the operation. Their involvement signals growing institutional interest in Bitcoin mining as a viable use case for stranded or otherwise wasted energy resources. For Horeb Energy, the ultra-low electricity costs provide a significant competitive advantage in an industry where energy expenses typically represent 60-80% of operational costs.
The Colombian location offers additional strategic benefits beyond biogas availability. The country's regulatory environment has become increasingly crypto-friendly, and its geographic position provides political and economic diversification for mining operations historically concentrated in North America and Central Asia.
This project exemplifies a growing trend of Bitcoin miners monetizing unconventional energy sources. Similar initiatives have emerged globally, with miners utilizing flared natural gas, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric power. However, the biogas-to-Bitcoin model presents unique advantages by solving two problems simultaneously: waste management and sustainable energy generation.
The 2.5-cent rate achieved in Colombia compares favorably even to traditional energy-rich regions. For context, Texas miners typically pay 4-6 cents per kWh, while some operations in Nordic countries access hydroelectric power at 3-4 cents per kWh during favorable conditions.
As Bitcoin mining continues evolving toward sustainability, the Horeb-Veolia partnership may serve as a blueprint for similar operations worldwide, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and mining profitability need not be mutually exclusive goals.