EBEA Leads the Way: Bitcoin Mining as a Solution to Europe’s Energy Crisis

On April 28, 2025, Spain and Portugal were hit by one of Europe’s largest power outages, leaving millions without electricity for nearly a day. The blackout, caused by 60% of Spain’s electricity production disappearing in just five seconds, clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of Europe’s power grid—especially as renewable energy is integrated without sufficient storage or balancing.

In light of Europe’s growing energy demand and fragile grid, initiatives like the European Bitcoin Energy Association (EBEA) are becoming increasingly relevant. In the latest episode of the Women & Bitcoin podcast, we discuss this with EBEA Chair Rachel Geyer, who highlights how Bitcoin mining—often misunderstood as purely energy-consuming—can actually serve as a powerful tool for grid stabilization, energy balancing, and green incentives.

“Bitcoin miners can switch off when electricity prices surge and switch on when prices drop, making it an ideal partner for stabilizing grids.” – Rachel Geyer, Chair, EBEA

Bitcoin mining functions in practice as a flexible, controllable energy consumer. When there is a surplus of cheap, green energy—such as on windy or rainy days—miners can use what would otherwise go to waste. When the grid is strained, they can shut down within seconds. This unique elasticity is something few other industries can offer—and something Europe’s energy system desperately needs.

Sweden is in a particularly favorable position. With significant overcapacity in hydropower, especially in the north, there is room to use Bitcoin mining as a way to relieve the grid, create local economic growth, and fund further expansion of renewable energy. And best of all—it’s not happening through state mandates or top-down regulation. These solutions are emerging organically, driven by the decentralized nature of Bitcoin mining, market incentives, and technological innovation.

It’s time to take the energy aspect of Bitcoin seriously

EBEA’s work shows that the path to broader Bitcoin adoption in Europe runs through energy—and that the power grids of the future will rely as much on flexible demand as on stable production. Bitcoin mining, when properly understood and integrated, is not the problem. It’s part of the solution.