(a) whether the Government has assessed the increase in demand for energy from the mining of digital currencies including cryptocurrencies;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the demand for power from mining is expected to grow in the current year and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is adequately equipped to meet this increased demand; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(a) to (e) : The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) conducts Electric Power Survey (EPS) of the country every five years for estimating the electricity demand of the country on medium and long term basis as obligated under Section 73(a) of the Electricity Act-2003.
The Electricity demand projection has been carried out for consumer categories like domestic, commercial, public lighting, public water works, irrigation, industrial railways, bulk supply and others.
The demand for energy from mining of the digital currencies including cryptocurrencies may be met within the overall demand projection under EPS. It may be noted that the actual demand is less than the projected demand in EPS. Therefore, any additional demand due to such new commercial/industrial activities shall get served within the overall energy projection given in EPS.
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