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When Bitcoin Powers the Village: Clean Energy Meets Crypto in Zambia

Discover how bitcoin mining is powering rural electrification in Zambia. Learn about Gridless, the use of clean hydro energy, and how crypto is transforming lives in off-grid communities.

Deep in Zambia’s northwestern wilderness, near the thundering waters of the Zambezi River, a new sound buzzes through the trees—not the call of wildlife or rustling leaves, but the unmistakable high-pitched whine of computers mining bitcoin. To many, it may seem out of place. But in this remote corner of Africa, cryptocurrency is doing more than just generating digital wealth—it's powering lives.

Here, at the Zengamina hydroelectric power plant, a partnership between a local energy provider and a Kenyan tech company called Gridless is rewriting the narrative around bitcoin mining. Instead of draining resources, it's delivering them—bringing electricity, economic hope, and digital access to rural communities that have long been off the grid.

Table of Contents

Bitcoin Meets Hydropower: A Win-Win Partnership

The heart of the story lies in the innovative synergy between Gridless and the Zengamina Hydro-power Plant. Originally built in the early 2000s with charity funds from UK churches, the plant was meant to power a local hospital and, eventually, surrounding villages. But for years, its full potential went unrealized. Much of its electricity went unused, unable to find enough customers to cover operating costs.

Enter Gridless.

This Kenya-based startup saw an opportunity. By installing a mobile bitcoin mining unit—basically a shipping container packed with 120 high-performance computers—they could tap into the plant’s excess electricity and turn it into profit through crypto mining.

The model is simple: the mine runs on cheap, clean, hydroelectric power. In exchange, it provides a reliable stream of income for the plant, now contributing around 30% of its total revenue. This financial boost allows the plant to maintain operations and keep electricity prices low for the surrounding 15,000 residents.

Changing Lives, One Watt at a Time

For local residents, the arrival of stable electricity has been transformative. In the town near Zengamina, electricity didn’t reach homes and businesses until just a few years ago.

People like Damian, a local barber, have seen their fortunes change overnight. “Until I got power, I had nothing and couldn’t do anything,” he says. Now, his shop is lit up at night, buzzing with customers, music videos, and Christmas lights. He uses the money he earns to pay for school fees—a future that seemed out of reach before the lights came on.

Teenagers crowd around a communal computer, scrolling through music playlists. Sisters Tumba and Lucy Machayi, lounging at the town crossroads, recall the days of relying on weak solar panels with no network, no fridge, no TV. “Electricity completely changed the lives of people here,” says Lucy. “We can charge our phones. We can communicate with each other.”

Beyond Zambia: A Scalable Model for Africa?

The Zengamina project is just one of six sites Gridless operates across three African countries. In neighboring Congo, another mining unit powered by Virunga National Park’s hydro plant helps fund wildlife conservation.

Now, Gridless has its sights set on a bold future: building its own hydroelectric plants from scratch, using bitcoin mining as the economic anchor to electrify off-grid communities. Co-founder Janet Maingi believes Africa’s abundant untapped river systems could provide a scalable, sustainable solution.

“A consumer-driven, adaptive energy model is essential for scalable, affordable, and sustainable energy access,” she explains. “Bitcoin is what makes the math work.”

The Controversy: Bitcoin’s Dirty Past Meets a Cleaner Future

While the Zambian model is promising, it also sits in the shadow of global controversy over bitcoin’s energy use. In places like Kazakhstan and parts of the United States, massive mining farms have caused electricity shortages and drawn regulatory crackdowns.

Critics argue that bitcoin mining is inherently wasteful, often running counter to climate goals. In response, Gridless and others point to cases like Zengamina, where stranded or excess renewable energy—which would otherwise go unused—is being converted into economic value.

According to researchers at Cambridge University, there’s a growing shift in bitcoin mining toward renewable sources, especially in underdeveloped regions with unutilized energy potential.

Still, challenges remain. Scaling up responsibly, managing grid stability, and addressing public skepticism will be key to proving this model’s long-term viability.

The End of the Beginning

Zengamina’s mining container will soon move on. The hydro plant has secured new investment and plans to connect to the national grid. When that happens, selling electricity will become more profitable than mining bitcoin—and that’s exactly the goal.

For Gridless, it’s a sign of success. “We came here to unlock value,” says co-founder Philip Walton. “If we can help a plant like Zengamina become self-sustaining and reach more people, then we’ve done our job—and yes, we’ve made a little bitcoin along the way.”

Conclusion

In the dense green heart of Zambia, the unlikely marriage of cryptocurrency and clean energy is offering a glimpse into the future—a future where technology and development aren’t at odds, but deeply intertwined.

If this model can be replicated and scaled responsibly, then bitcoin mining may not just be about profits in the digital realm—it might light up the real world, one village at a time.

FAQs

How is bitcoin mining helping rural communities in Zambia?

In Zambia, bitcoin mining is used to monetize excess electricity from a hydro-power plant. This revenue helps fund the plant’s operations and keep energy affordable for nearby rural communities.

What is Gridless and what does it do?

Gridless is a Kenya-based tech company that installs mobile bitcoin mining units at renewable energy sites in Africa. It partners with power producers to use excess energy for mining, providing income that supports local electrification.

Why is Zengamina Hydro-power Plant significant?

Zengamina is a mini-grid hydro plant that powers a remote area of northwestern Zambia. Its partnership with Gridless helped it overcome financial challenges by creating a new revenue stream through bitcoin mining.

Is bitcoin mining environmentally friendly?

Typically, bitcoin mining is energy-intensive and often criticized for its environmental impact. However, in cases like Zengamina, it uses stranded renewable energy, making it a more sustainable model.

Will the bitcoin mine remain in Zengamina permanently?

No. As the plant connects to the national grid and finds more profitable ways to sell electricity, the mining operation will move to another site with excess power—fulfilling its role as a temporary economic bridge.

That's all for today, see ya tomorrow! If you want more, be sure to follow our X (@croxroadnewsco), Instagram (@croxroadnews.co), Youtube (@thebitcoinlibertarian), Tiktok (@croxroadnews) and nostr - [email protected]

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DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.

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