Russia has introduced new electricity rules requiring cryptocurrency mining farms to accept lower-priority power connections. Under the new system, authorities can disconnect mining facilities during electricity shortages to protect supplies for households and other consumers.
The changes were introduced under Government Resolution No. 1300, adopted on October 6 and confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Energy on October 9. The rules apply to cryptocurrency mining facilities, mining pools and companies providing mining infrastructure.
The new requirements affect qualifying grid connection applications, including certain requests submitted before the decree that have not yet been completed.
Summary
- Russia now requires qualifying cryptocurrency mining facilities to use Category 4 electricity connections.
- Authorities can cut power to mining farms during shortages to protect other consumers.
- The October 6 decree covers mining facilities, mining pools and mining infrastructure providers.
- Some pending grid connection applications must be reviewed under the revised requirements.
- The rules operate alongside existing regional restrictions and bans on cryptocurrency mining.
Russia makes mining farms lower-priority electricity users
Under Resolution No. 1300, companies seeking electricity connections for cryptocurrency mining must use Category 4 power supply arrangements.
These connections have a lower priority than conventional electricity supplies, meaning mining facilities must accept interruptions when the grid faces shortages or operational problems.
The Ministry of Energy said the change would help protect electricity supplies for other customers while making more efficient use of existing energy infrastructure.
Mining facilities may be disconnected during shortages without the advance coordination generally associated with higher-priority electricity users. Operators must therefore be prepared to suspend their operations when authorities need to reduce electricity demand.
The rules do not introduce an immediate nationwide shutdown of existing mining farms. Instead, they change the requirements for qualifying grid connections and establish how mining facilities are treated during electricity shortages.
The decree also does not explicitly require every facility with a previously completed higher-priority connection to switch immediately to Category 4.
Why Russia introduced Category 4 connections
Russia introduced the Category 4 electricity connection framework in February 2026 through Government Resolution No. 103.
The arrangement allows certain electricity consumers to connect to the grid when conventional connections would require additional infrastructure improvements. In exchange, those customers accept a less reliable supply.
Category 4 consumers face restrictions during emergency power reductions. Their electricity can be cut to help maintain supplies for higher-priority users and is generally restored after those customers’ needs have been addressed.
The October decree specifically requires qualifying new mining connections to use this lower-priority arrangement.
Cryptocurrency mining farms can consume substantial amounts of electricity because their equipment often operates continuously. Russian authorities have increasingly focused on mining-related demand as some regions face electricity shortages and growing pressure on their power infrastructure.
The government says the new rules will help protect households and other electricity consumers without requiring the same level of guaranteed capacity for mining operations.
Regional mining bans remain in place
The new connection requirements operate alongside Russia’s existing regional restrictions on cryptocurrency mining.
Under Resolution No. 1300, areas subject to a complete mining ban cannot accept new Category 4 connection applications for covered mining facilities. Certain pending applications, connection agreements and implementation procedures must also be suspended while the prohibition remains in force.
When a complete ban is lifted, the regulations establish procedures for resuming the affected processes and addressing connection agreements within the required time frames.
Russia has introduced regional mining restrictions in response to electricity shortages in several areas, including parts of Siberia and the North Caucasus.
In August 2026, the government expanded restrictions to Moscow, the Moscow Region and designated areas of Kursk. Those measures were scheduled to remain in effect through December 31, 2032, unless amended.
Regional officials have previously estimated that cryptocurrency mining consumed approximately one gigawatt of electricity within Moscow’s power system.
The October decree does not automatically override regional prohibitions. A mining company must still comply with any restrictions that apply to its location, even if it could otherwise qualify for a Category 4 connection.
Pending applications face revised requirements
Mining companies planning new facilities will need to account for Category 4 requirements when applying for grid connections.
The revised rules cover technical conditions for connections, including grid capacity, protective equipment and procedures for managing electricity supply during emergencies.
Some applications submitted before the decree may also be affected if the connection process remains incomplete. Where a full regional mining ban applies, providers must suspend the relevant procedures until the restriction is lifted.
Applications may be rejected or canceled under specified circumstances if the required connection conditions cannot be met.
The Federal Antimonopoly Service has separately proposed restrictions on electricity companies conducting cryptocurrency mining or supplying certain facilities and capacity to mining businesses. However, the October 6 decree does not establish that this separate proposal has been adopted.
The Ministry of Energy has not announced how many mining farms will need new connections under Category 4 or how much electricity capacity the changes could make available to other consumers.
Overall, Russia’s new rules give mining facilities a lower priority on the electricity grid and allow authorities to reduce their power supply during shortages. The measure adds another layer to the country’s effort to manage mining-related electricity demand while maintaining existing regional restrictions.
