Comedian Jimmy Carr Urges UK To Mine Bitcoin With Idle Power Stations — Can This ‘Radical’ Idea Boost Failing Miners?

British comedian Jimmy Carr has unexpectedly stepped into the Bitcoin debate, suggesting the UK should repurpose its idle or underutilized power stations to mine Bitcoin. What began as a tongue-in-cheek remark has sparked a surprisingly serious conversation in energy and crypto circles — because beneath the humor lies a real economic argument.

Carr’s point is simple: the UK has aging coal and gas plants sitting dormant or running far below capacity. Instead of letting them rust, why not use their excess power to generate revenue through Bitcoin mining? In a world where miners hunt relentlessly for cheap energy, dormant infrastructure could theoretically become a competitive advantage.

Energy experts agree the idea isn’t as absurd as it sounds. Bitcoin mining acts as a flexible “energy buyer of last resort,” capable of switching on when excess power is available and off when demand peaks. For regions struggling to justify the maintenance cost of old power stations, mining could help cover fixed expenses — or at least soften taxpayer burden.

But there are obstacles. The UK’s current political climate is cautious on crypto, and environmental groups would fight any move that increases carbon output — even if the stations are already built and unused. There’s also the question of whether the economics of mining still hold in a high-cost energy market like Britain.

Still, Carr’s comment struck a nerve because it exposes a bigger reality: Bitcoin mining is no longer fringe technology — it’s becoming part of national energy strategy discussions worldwide. Whether the UK embraces the idea or mocks it, the conversation itself shows how deeply Bitcoin has penetrated mainstream thinking.