Pakistan explores Bitcoin mining with surplus energy, but landfill methane link remains unconfirmed

Pakistan is making moves on two separate energy fronts: capturing methane from massive landfills, and mining Bitcoin with surplus electricity from underused power plants. While social media buzz has framed the story as Pakistan deploying Bitcoin miners powered by landfill methane, the actual picture involves two distinct government-backed initiatives that haven’t been integrated. One focuses on landfill gas capture for carbon credits. The other channels excess coal-plant electricity toward crypto mining and AI data centers. Both are real. The combination is not, at least not yet. What Pakistan is actually doing with Bitcoin mining In May 2025, the Pakistan Crypto Council, led by Bilal Bin Saqib, announced plans to allocate roughly 2,000 MW of surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data center operations. The power comes from coal-fired plants currently operating at approximately 15% capacity, meaning the country is paying to maintain generation infrastructure that mostly sits idle. The landfill methane side of the equation Separately, Pakistani authorities have been advancing methane capture projects at major landfill sites. The most prominent is the Mehmood Booti dumpsite, ...