A Bitcoin mining factory in Wuhan was closed down for stealing 190,000 kWh of electricity every month

Electricity theft scene

Chutian Metropolis Daily reported that in order to "mine" Bitcoin, private wires were connected, stealing nearly 200,000 kWh of electricity every month on average. Recently, the State Grid Wuhan Power Supply Company discovered a large-scale Bitcoin "mining factory" suspected of illegally stealing electricity, and is currently awaiting further investigation by the police.

Power supply inspectors from the Hanyang Branch of the Customer Service Center of the State Grid Wuhan Power Supply Company recently patrolled Xiaochenjiazui, Yongfeng Street, Hanyang District. Based on the privately connected cables on the transformer, they discovered six shelves in a nearby factory building. A total of 221 machines used for bitcoin mining were running on the shelves, and there were three large fans on one wall dissipating heat.

According to the power supply department, Bitcoin "mining machines" are special computers that earn Bitcoins through algorithms. These computers have professional "mining" chips and consume a lot of electricity. After on-site measurements, the electricity theft site consumes about 6,400 kWh of electricity per day, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of an ordinary resident. About 190,000 kWh of electricity is stolen per month, which is equivalent to an electricity bill of more than 130,000 yuan.

In addition, inspectors also found on site that the transformer with privately connected cables had been operating under overload, and the transformer capacity was completely occupied by stolen electricity. When the weather got cold, many users turned on air conditioners and other heating equipment, which would cause the transformer to be overloaded, posing a huge safety hazard to the operation of the power grid.

With the authorization of the police, the power supply department has sealed up the power-stealing facilities and equipment, awaiting further police investigation. (Chutian Metropolis Daily)