Bitcoin mining and rubbish power games
TWO articles side by side last weekend, (ODT, 21.5.2022), one beneficial, the other, the jury is out. A British firm is building a mega centre for Bitcoin mining in Earnscleugh (I know, it sounds like something out of Dr Who or Star Wars, I won’t even try to explain it).
The other is for a site outside Waimate which will take refuse, burn it, generating steam which powers a turbine, which in turn produces electricity which is then put into the national grid. Both ventures will provide employment for locals in the building of them, thereafter only one will have ongoing employment positions.
It is well documented that Bitcoin mining uses a huge amount of electricity to ‘‘need to do what it does’’, I’m assuming the British firm that is building its complex has worked out that electricity prices here are cheap enough to make their proposition viable.
It doesn’t take long to check online to see what these mega data centres do elsewhere, because of their exhaustive need for electricity they have caused power outages in some countries
I have no issue (or interest) in Bitcoin mining but given electricity production here is heavily dependent upon systems that are only as reliable as the weather, I would hope that if that weather dictates we do not have enough lake storage etc to meet our needs that these ‘‘Bitcoin Mines’’ would be the first to be disconnected before we start burning coal at Huntly?
As for the recycling plant planned outside Waimate, I fully understand the locals’ stance, but given the huge potential benefits of the process I really hope an amicable outcome can be achieved, especially with the ongoing employment prospects as opposed to the Bitcoin plant which has no ongoing employment apart from someone to mow the lawns and clean the windows occasionally Graham Bulman
Roslyn
Yearly budget
THERE is a sense of puzzlement in outer space above New Zealand at the moment. The seasoned aliens are aware of the dreadful sound.
Some of the younger ones say — what is that awful noise. The wise old aliens soon put them right. They say ‘‘Last week the Finance Minister announced the yearly Budget.
‘‘That is the whine of the people saying ‘it’s not enough, we want more — how can he be so mean’.’’ They all shook their heads and went on doing whatever aliens do.
Yes, a lot of people are struggling now and we all feel for them, but there is not a bottomless bucket in Wellington for the Government to put its hand in and out comes the dollars. Opposition parties would criticise no matter what was given out without any real solutions.
I can remember when budgets were all about taxes on cigarettes and alcohol with very few handouts. How times have changed. Mary Laurenson
Balclutha
Covid link
WOULD Dr Greg White (ODT, 23.5.22) please say if those children getting hepatitis have been vaccinated with the Covid vaccine? R. Adams
Gore
Nanaia Mahuta
PLEASE do not refer to her as MP Mahuta, or Mahuta, (ODT, 24.5.22). Come on councillors, a rose by any other name is still a rose.
With the rampant inflation, a 6.5% rise in rates is a big thorn in the ratepayers’ pocket. Jim Moffat
Caversham
BIBLE READING: It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. — 2 Samuel 22:33.