The thundering roar of the Zambezi River echoes through the lush bushland of northern Zambia, where millions of gallons of water crash over ancient rock formations. But amidst the natural symphony, another sound emerges—the high-pitched hum of a Bitcoin mining operation, an unlikely addition to this remote landscape. “It’s the sound of money!” exclaims Phillip Walton, co-founder of Gridless, as he stands beside a shipping container filled with 120 specialized computers working nonstop to verify Bitcoin transactions.
This site, tucked away in the northwesternmost region of Zambia, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, is unlike any other Bitcoin mine. It’s powered directly by the Zengamina hydroelectric plant, harnessing renewable energy from the mighty Zambezi to fuel a digital economy in one of Africa’s most remote corners.
Bitcoin’s Unlikely Power Source
Traditionally, Bitcoin mining requires vast amounts of electricity, making it both environmentally and financially costly. But in this isolated region, hydropower offers a unique advantage—abundant, continuous, and critically, cheap energy. Phillip’s Kenya-based company, Gridless, saw an opportunity. By partnering with Zengamina’s operators, they secured an ultra-low-cost electricity supply, making it feasible to transport their mining hardware 14 hours across rugged terrain to set up operations here.
Each mining machine generates about $5 per day, fluctuating with Bitcoin’s volatile price, which currently hovers around $80,000 per coin. Even when the price dips, the low electricity costs ensure profitability. “We realized that to improve our mining economics, we needed to partner with the power company here and offer them a revenue share,” Phillip explains. “This remote location allows us to access some of the cheapest energy available.” Zengamina is a mini-grid—an independent power station not connected to Zambia’s national electricity network. Built in the early 2000s with $3 million in charitable donations, the plant was originally designed to power a local hospital and surrounding communities.
Today, it supplies electricity to about 15,000 people, but demand has remained lower than expected, creating financial strain. Much of its potential energy was being wasted daily—until Bitcoin mining entered the equation. Daniel Rea, a British-Zambian engineer who manages Zengamina, says the Bitcoin partnership has been transformational. “Before, we were wasting over half of the energy we could generate, which meant we weren’t earning enough to cover operational costs,” Rea explains. “We needed a major power user—and that’s where Gridless became a game-changer.”
Bitcoin Boosts Local Energy Affordability
The mining operation now accounts for roughly 30% of Zengamina’s total revenue, allowing the plant to keep electricity prices affordable for local residents. While cryptocurrency remains a mystery to many in Zengamina village, its economic impact is undeniable.
The town, a simple crossroads dotted with modest wooden structures, has just one shop with a refrigerator. Outside, a group of children huddle around a communal computer, taking turns blasting their favorite songs, drawing winces from nearby adults. They may not yet grasp the intricacies of Bitcoin’s digital ledger, but thanks to hydropower-fueled mining, their town now enjoys a more stable and affordable power supply—a testament to how cryptocurrency and renewable energy can forge unexpected partnerships in even the most remote corners of the world.
