Newfoundland and Labrador is emerging as one of the most interesting Bitcoin mining jurisdictions in Canada — and for one massive reason: Labrador has some of the cheapest electricity on the entire continent. With Labrador Interconnected rates at an astonishing ~$0.032/kWh and Island (Newfoundland) rates around $0.15/kWh, the province offers dramatically different mining economics depending on where you’re located. Combined with some of the coldest, longest winters in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador delivers natural cooling advantages that most miners can only dream about.
D-Central Technologies ships directly to Newfoundland and Labrador from our Quebec headquarters — domestic Canadian shipping with no customs, no import duties, and CAD pricing. For a province that’s geographically remote but increasingly connected to the mainland grid via the Labrador-Island Link, Bitcoin mining represents a real opportunity to monetize cheap, stranded hydroelectric power.
Electricity Rates: Two Very Different Stories
Understanding electricity pricing in this province requires recognizing that Newfoundland (the island) and Labrador (the mainland) operate on different grids with dramatically different rate structures.
Labrador Interconnected System (2026)
- Residential rate: ~$0.032/kWh (3.2 cents!) — powered by Churchill Falls hydroelectricity
- This is cheaper than Quebec industrial rates and among the lowest residential electricity prices in the Western world
- Note: The Churchill Falls contract with Hydro-Québec expires in 2041, after which Labrador rates may change, but for the foreseeable future, this is extraordinarily cheap power
Island Interconnected System (Newfoundland) (2026)
- Newfoundland Power residential rate: ~$0.152/kWh (effective July 2025, following a 7% increase)
- Rate mitigation: Provincial rate mitigation plan caps Hydro’s portion of annual increases at 2.25% through 2030
- Monthly service charge: ~$19.47
The contrast is stark: Labrador rates make it one of the best mining locations in the world, while Newfoundland island rates are mid-range for Canada and require more strategic hardware choices.
Monthly Mining Cost Estimates
At Labrador rates ($0.032/kWh):
- Antminer S21 (3,500W): ~$81/month CAD — incredibly cheap for a top-tier ASIC
- Antminer S19 (3,250W): ~$75/month CAD
- Bitaxe (15W): ~$0.35/month CAD — basically free
At Newfoundland Island rates ($0.152/kWh):
- Antminer S21 (3,500W): ~$119/month CAD
- Antminer S19 (3,250W): ~$110/month CAD
- Bitaxe (15W): ~$1.65/month CAD
- Bitcoin Space Heater S9 Edition (1,300W): ~$44/month CAD
Climate: The Ultimate Natural Cooling System
Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the harshest, coldest, and longest winters in populated Canada. This is an enormous asset for Bitcoin mining.
Temperature Profile
- Winter (December–March): Newfoundland averages -5°C to -12°C; Labrador plunges to -18°C to -30°C or colder. Happy Valley-Goose Bay regularly sees -35°C.
- Spring (April–May): Slow thaw, -2°C to 8°C. Snow can persist into May on the island and June in Labrador.
- Summer (June–August): Cool 12°C to 20°C on the island, 15°C to 22°C in Labrador. St. John’s rarely exceeds 25°C.
- Fall (September–November): Rapid cooling from 12°C to -5°C. Heating season begins in October.
Newfoundland and Labrador offers 8–9 months of effective heating season — the longest in populated Canada. For Labrador specifically, you’re looking at 9–10 months where mining heat has real value. This makes Bitcoin Space Heaters an almost year-round proposition.
Cooling Advantage
Even in summer, temperatures are cool enough that ASIC cooling is essentially free. You’ll never need air conditioning for your mining operation in Newfoundland or Labrador. Simple ventilation — pulling outdoor air through your mining space — provides more than adequate cooling year-round.
Regulations and Legal Status
Bitcoin mining is fully legal in Newfoundland and Labrador with no specific regulations targeting cryptocurrency mining.
Key Regulatory Points
- No mining-specific laws: Neither the province nor its utilities have enacted any legislation or policy specifically addressing cryptocurrency mining.
- Standard electricity service: Both Newfoundland Power and NL Hydro provide service under standard residential and commercial tariffs with no crypto surcharges.
- Municipal bylaws: St. John’s, Corner Brook, and other municipalities have noise bylaws. ASIC miners need proper sound management in residential areas. D-Central’s Space Heater editions solve this problem elegantly.
- Electrical standards: Follow the Canadian Electrical Code. Hire a licensed electrician for 240V circuit installations. Inspection may be required depending on the municipality.
- Remote communities: Some isolated Labrador and island communities are on diesel generators with limited capacity. Large-scale mining in these areas may face practical (not legal) limitations.
Tax Implications
- Provincial income tax: 8.7% to 21.8%, among the higher provincial rates in Canada.
- HST: 15% (harmonized with federal GST).
- CRA treatment: Same as all provinces — hobby mining taxed as capital gains, business mining as income. Hardware depreciation under CCA Class 50 (55% declining balance).
See our Bitcoin Mining Tax Guide for Canada for comprehensive details.
Best Mining Hardware for Newfoundland and Labrador
For Labrador (Ultra-Cheap Power)
At $0.032/kWh, virtually any mining hardware is profitable in Labrador:
- Antminer S21 / S21+: At these rates, the newest generation ASICs are money machines. Run as many as your electrical service can handle.
- Antminer S19 series: Still highly profitable at Labrador rates. Even older S19j Pro models work well here.
- Even older ASICs (S17, S9): Hardware that’s unprofitable almost everywhere else can still earn at $0.032/kWh. Consider these if you can source them cheaply.
- Bitaxe: At $0.35/month, running multiple Bitaxe units for solo mining lottery tickets is a no-brainer.
For Newfoundland Island (Moderate Rates)
- Bitaxe: Always recommended — $1.65/month is negligible for solo mining participation.
- Bitcoin Space Heaters: With 8–9 months of heating season, this is the optimal strategy for island miners. Your Space Heater replaces your electric heater and earns Bitcoin.
- Antminer S21 (latest generation): Profitable year-round at current Bitcoin prices due to excellent efficiency, and especially attractive during the long heating season.
Explore our full hardware catalogue at the D-Central Shop.
Getting Started Mining in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Determine your rate zone: Are you on the Labrador Interconnected, Island Interconnected, or a diesel system? This determines your entire mining strategy.
- Assess electrical capacity: Many older homes in NL have 100A or 150A panels. You may need an upgrade to 200A for ASIC mining. Get a licensed electrician’s assessment.
- Choose your hardware: Start with a Bitaxe regardless of your rate zone. Labrador miners can go straight to full ASICs. Island miners should consider Space Heaters first.
- Order from D-Central: We ship from Quebec to all NL communities. Domestic shipping, no customs, full Canadian support.
- Plan for your climate: Your mining space needs ventilation, not air conditioning. In Labrador winters, you may actually need to control too much cold air from reaching your miners — keep intake temperatures above -10°C to protect hardware.
- Internet considerations: Urban areas (St. John’s, Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay) have adequate broadband. More remote areas should verify internet reliability — mining requires constant but minimal bandwidth.
- Start mining: Configure your pool (or solo mine with Bitaxe), monitor your hashrate, and start stacking sats.
For complete setup instructions, visit our Getting Started with Bitcoin Mining guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitcoin mining legal in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes, completely legal. There are no provincial laws or utility policies restricting Bitcoin mining in Newfoundland and Labrador. You pay standard electricity rates and can use the power for any purpose.
How much does it cost to mine Bitcoin in Newfoundland and Labrador?
It depends entirely on your location. In Labrador at ~$0.032/kWh, an Antminer S21 costs about $81 CAD/month. On the island of Newfoundland at ~$0.152/kWh, the same miner costs ~$119/month. A Bitaxe costs $0.35–$1.65/month depending on your rate zone.
Is Bitcoin mining profitable in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2026?
In Labrador, emphatically yes — $0.032/kWh makes virtually any mining hardware profitable. On the island, profitability is strong during the 8–9 month heating season (when mining replaces heating costs) and competitive with efficient hardware year-round. Solo mining with Bitaxe is always worth the negligible cost.
Can I mine Bitcoin in my apartment in Newfoundland?
Yes, with appropriate hardware. A Bitaxe is silent and uses less power than a phone charger. A Bitcoin Space Heater works in apartments during the long heating season. Full ASICs require dedicated space due to noise (70+ dB). Check your lease terms.
Why is Labrador electricity so cheap?
Labrador benefits from the massive Churchill Falls hydroelectric station — one of the largest underground power stations in the world. The original power contract with Hydro-Québec locked in extremely low rates. Residential consumers on the Labrador Interconnected system benefit from this cheap hydroelectric generation, resulting in rates of approximately $0.032/kWh — among the lowest in the Western hemisphere.