Catenaa, Tuesday, March 03, 2026-Brazil has cut import duties to zero for high-efficiency Bitcoin mining equipment, opening a potential pathway for renewable energy producers to channel stranded power into crypto operations.
The measure, approved Feb. 20 by the country’s foreign trade council, applies to SHA256 miners exceeding 200 terahashes per second with energy efficiency below 20 joules per terahash and runs through Jan. 31, 2028.
Days later, French energy giant Engie said it is weighing Bitcoin mining at its 895-megawatt Assu Sol solar plant in northeastern Brazil.
The company indicated the move could help monetize electricity that would otherwise be curtailed due to grid constraints.
Brazil has grappled with renewable energy curtailment as wind and solar generation outpace transmission capacity.
Between October 2021 and September 2025, wind producers curtailed about 32 terawatt-hours, representing roughly 6 billion reais in lost revenue.
Wind and solar accounted for 24% of Brazil’s electricity in 2024 and reached 34% in August 2025.
Mining economics hinge on power costs. Estimates suggest break-even electricity prices near $0.071 per kilowatt-hour, or about 370 reais per megawatt-hour. While retail business rates exceed that level, wholesale spot prices often fall within range, particularly for curtailed output that lacks buyers.
The policy targets top-tier mining hardware rather than offering a blanket exemption. Analysts say the limited, time-bound incentive lowers capital costs while allowing utilities and miners to test project-level economics without direct subsidies.
