In an attempt to curb energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining in the nation, the Norwegian government is proposing a regulation for data centers, according to a local news source VG that referenced two MPs.According to the report, the law will regulate the data center industry for the first time, forcing center operators to register with local regulators. This is according to Ministers of Digitalization Karianne Tung and Energy Terje Aasland.
“The purpose is to regulate the industry in such a way that we can close the door on the projects we do not want,” Tung reportedly said.
Both lawmakers agree they don’t want cryptocurrency mining in the country, according to the publication.
“It is associated with large greenhouse-gas emissions and is an example of a type of business we do not want in Norway,” Aasland is quoted as saying.
In nations like Sweden and Norway, where hydroelectric power is a plentiful renewable energy source, cryptocurrency miners have established themselves.A few years ago, neighboring Sweden proposed to attempt and outlaw cryptocurrency mining due to energy concerns. Norway, which is not a member of the European Union, stated that it would support this move.As a result of the endeavor, certain groupings of EU lawmakers attempted in vain to include a clause restricting the energy-intensive proof-of-work consensus mechanism used by Bitcoin (BTC) in the bloc to the historic crypto statute known as Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA).
Last year, Sweden raised data center levies in an effort to drive away cryptocurrency miners.
“This is an industry that has not been regulated at all. But will it be possible to supervise and control data centers,” Tung reportedly said.