Iranian authorities closed 1,620 illegal cryptocurrency mining centers, which together consumed 250 MW of capacity, according to Financial Tribune.
According to a spokesperson for the state energy company Tavanir, these mining farms continued to operate illegally since 2019, when mining in the country was legalized.
“Tavanir takes a strict stance toward unauthorized miners. Those who use subsidised electricity will be fined for the amount of losses caused to the national grid,” said Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi.
Their mining sites will be disconnected from the power grid, and miners will face legal action, he added.
Mining in Iran was legalized in July 2019. However, not all industry participants accepted the proposed tariffs, and they continued to use subsidised electricity.
In July 2020, the Iranian government required miners operating in the country to register within a month, disclosing identity, type and quantity of installed equipment. Authorities allowed power plants to operate with mining centers provided they have licenses and comply with the established tariffs.
In August, Tavanir said it had closed 1,100 mining farms whose owners had not applied for a license.
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