Bitcoin mining isn’t just about securing the network anymore — it’s also starting to grow food. Mining hardware maker Canaan has teamed up with Bitforest Investment in Manitoba, Canada, to launch a pilot project that turns excess mining heat into a renewable energy source for tomato greenhouses.
The two companies are rolling out a 3-megawatt (MW) program designed to reuse heat normally lost from Bitcoin mining machines. Instead of letting that warmth dissipate into the air, the project captures it and puts it to work in agriculture — helping warm greenhouses in one of Canada’s colder regions.
Over the next 24 months, the pilot will rely on 360 liquid-cooled Avalon A1566HA-460T rigs. These machines are equipped with systems that allow heat recovery while they continue normal Bitcoin mining operations. The captured thermal energy will be used to preheat water that flows into the greenhouses’ electric boilers, easing overall energy consumption without interrupting mining.
According to the company, the aim isn’t just cost savings — it’s also about cutting reliance on fossil-fuel-powered heating systems and showing how mining infrastructure can play a role in sustainability efforts.
Canaan’s Chairman and CEO Nangeng Zhang said the plan goes beyond a single installation. The company hopes to build a replicable, data-driven model that proves Bitcoin mining heat can be scaled for agricultural use in cold-weather regions. By measuring and modeling the results, the pilot could help guide similar energy-reuse projects around the world.
Bitforest operates tomato greenhouse facilities in Manitoba, and the mining heat will be integrated directly into its existing operations. The goal is straightforward: reuse heat that would otherwise be wasted and lower energy demand during harsh Canadian winters — without sacrificing crop growth conditions.
The experiment also reflects a broader trend in crypto mining. Companies are increasingly trying to pair mining with renewable or recovered energy sources to address environmental concerns and improve efficiency. In a separate example, Phoenix Group announced a 30-MW hydroelectric-powered mining facility in Ethiopia in November, highlighting the push toward greener mining strategies.
If successful, the Manitoba tomato-heating project could become a template for combining Bitcoin mining with agriculture — transforming excess heat into tangible value while softening the industry’s carbon footprint.
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