Irkutsk Region’s “Gray” Miners Owe Nearly ₽650 mln to Power System

According to IrkSib, the cumulative debt owed by unauthorized miners to the Irkutsk region’s energy system has reached almost ₽650 mln. Most are individuals and unregistered businesses that have been running rigs in garages, basements and similar locations under residential electricity rates. “Irkutskenergosbyt” reports over 2,100 lawsuits filed over the past five years, with many already decided in favor of the utility companies.

It’s noted that more than 1,300 court rulings have taken legal effect, confirming illegal consumption. The majority of defendants couldn’t justify their abnormally high power usage, often dozens of times greater than typical household consumption. Consequently, courts ruled their operations violated network usage policies and demanded compensation for damages.

Analysts warn that such a substantial debt poses risks for both power suppliers and legitimate entrepreneurs, as excessive grid load leads to outages and may drive up electricity prices due to noncompliant mining. Energy firms urge residents to report suspicious sites to help curb hidden cryptocurrency mining.