TLDR
- Thopen is exploring Bitcoin mining to absorb surplus energy from Brazil’s renewable sector.
- CEO Gustavo Ribeiro confirmed the company evaluates Bitcoin mining near generation sites.
- Brazil faces an electricity oversupply from its rapidly growing renewable energy industry.
- Solar power suppliers in Brazil are experiencing curtailment that limits grid supply.
- Several crypto mining companies are negotiating with Brazilian electricity providers.
Thopen, a Brazilian solar power producer, is exploring Bitcoin mining to manage excess renewable energy. CEO Gustavo Ribeiro confirmed the company evaluates data centers and Bitcoin mining near generation sites. The move addresses Brazil’s growing electricity oversupply from its expanding renewable sector.
Thopen Explores Bitcoin Mining Solutions
Ribeiro leads both Thopen and its majority owner, Pontal Energy. He told BN Americas that diversification helps mitigate energy oversupply challenges. The company considers Bitcoin mining as a way to convert surplus energy into capital.
Ribeiro described curtailment as a major challenge for solar suppliers. Brazil’s grid limits the energy solar producers can supply. Bitcoin mining offers a solution to absorb locally generated power.
The company plans to position Bitcoin mining facilities near load centers. This strategy maximizes the use of renewable energy that would otherwise go to waste. Thopen aims to turn excess electricity into economic value through cryptocurrency operations.
Brazil Faces Renewable Energy Surplus
Brazil experiences an oversupply of electricity from rapid renewable growth. Several crypto mining companies are negotiating with Brazilian electricity providers. These talks began in early October, according to Reuters reports.
The government planned two bidding rounds in 2026 for power plants. Officials seek reliable energy sources to reduce dependence on intermittent power. Wind and solar fluctuations create supply inconsistencies across the national grid.
Solar power suppliers face ongoing curtailment restrictions nationwide. The restrictions prevent them from maximizing their generation capacity. Bitcoin mining presents an alternative use for this constrained energy supply.
Global Energy Companies Turn to Bitcoin Mining
Union Jack Oil announced an oil-to-crypto project in the United Kingdom. The company converts natural gas from its West Newton site into electricity. This electricity powers Bitcoin mining operations for the publicly traded energy firm.
Canadian agricultural company AgriFORCE Growing Systems launched a similar initiative in June. The firm uses stranded gas to power 120 Bitcoin mining rigs. Plans include expanding the Bitcoin mining operation beyond the initial deployment.
Energy companies worldwide recognize Bitcoin mining as a profitable energy solution. The cryptocurrency sector provides a market for excess power generation. Companies convert otherwise wasted energy resources into digital assets through mining operations.
