Малайзийская энергетика теряет миллиарды от несанкционированного криптомайнинга Translation: Malaysian Energy Sector Loses Billions Due to Unauthorized Crypto Mining

The Malaysian Ministry of Energy has uncovered electricity theft amounting to $1.1 billion due to illicit cryptocurrency mining activities, as stated in a parliamentary report from the regulator.

The state energy company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) incurred losses totaling 4.57 billion ringgit. The firm identified 13,827 locations illegally consuming electricity for Bitcoin and other digital asset mining between 2020 and 2025.

Officials from the ministry highlighted that such operations pose a significant risk to the national electricity supply system, public safety, and the country’s economic stability.

Efforts to combat illegal mining in Malaysia have been ongoing since 2018. According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy last year, cryptocurrency miners have illegally taken electricity worth 3.4 billion ringgit (~$791 million) from that time until 2023.

In May, TNB reported a nearly 300% increase in electricity theft by illegal cryptocurrency miners over four years.

The energy giant conducts raids to eliminate unlawful mining in collaboration with police and local authorities. Since January 2020, the company received an average of 340 complaints each month related to cryptocurrency mining.

TNB has also established an internal database of landlords and tenants suspected of energy theft.

«This database serves as a vital tool for identifying and monitoring suspicious sites and forms the basis for operational inspection activities,» TNB representatives stated.

On a technical level, the company has implemented «smart» meters and launched a pilot monitoring program utilizing AI at power substations to quickly detect anomalous energy consumption.

Under Malaysian law, any illegal interference with electrical networks carries hefty fines (up to 1 million ringgit, or roughly $230,000) and prison sentences of up to 10 years. TNB has previously suggested tightening these measures.

It should be noted that in November 2025, all mining farms in Kyrgyzstan were disconnected from the power grid due to insufficient electricity supply.