Ethereum’s Energy Use Plummets After The Merge: Now Less Than Bitcoin by Orders of Magnitude

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The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) has unveiled new insights into blockchain sustainability, including updated metrics on Ethereum’s energy consumption post-Merge. The data reveals a dramatic transformation: Ethereum’s power usage has dropped so significantly that visual comparisons paint a striking picture. If Bitcoin’s energy footprint were as tall as the second-tallest building in the world—Merdeka 118 in Malaysia at 679 meters—Ethereum after the Merge would be no larger than a single red raspberry, just 1.5 centimeters high.

This article explores how Ethereum evolved from an energy-intensive network to one of the most efficient in the blockchain space, backed by real-world comparisons and authoritative research.

From Inception to The Merge: Ethereum’s Energy Footprint Equaled Switzerland’s Annual Use

According to CCAF’s analysis, Ethereum consumed approximately 58.26 TWh of electricity between its launch in 2015 and the historic Merge event on September 14, 2022. This cumulative energy use is nearly equivalent to Switzerland’s entire annual electricity consumption, which stands at around 54.88 TWh.

The annualized pre-Merge energy estimate for Ethereum was 21.41 TWh, aligning closely with other reputable studies:

However, one outlier remains: Digiconomist estimated a much higher figure of 77.77 TWh, likely due to more conservative assumptions about network efficiency and hardware utilization.

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Despite variations in methodology, the consensus is clear—Ethereum’s proof-of-work (PoW) era was resource-intensive, comparable to the national energy demand of a developed country. But all that changed with The Merge.

Ethereum Slashes Energy Consumption by 99.99%

In 2021, Ethereum researcher carlbeek.eth predicted that transitioning to proof-of-stake (PoS) would reduce the network’s energy use by 99.95%. While that figure already sounded revolutionary, real-world results surpassed expectations.

New data from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance confirms that Ethereum’s actual energy reduction post-Merge reached an astonishing 99.99%.

Here’s the breakdown:

To put this into perspective, imagine visualizing these figures as buildings:

This means Ethereum now uses less energy than many university campuses or mid-sized data centers. It’s a landmark achievement in sustainable technology and sets a precedent for eco-conscious innovation in digital infrastructure.

Ethereum’s Annual Energy Use Now Equals Just 16 Days at Cambridge University

How minimal is Ethereum’s current power draw? CCAF provides relatable benchmarks to help contextualize the numbers:

These comparisons highlight not only the scale of efficiency gains but also the potential for blockchain networks to operate sustainably within global energy systems.

Moreover, Ethereum’s shift to PoS didn’t compromise security or functionality. Instead, it enhanced decentralization and lowered barriers to participation—anyone with 32 ETH can run a validator node, requiring only a standard laptop and internet connection.

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Ethereum’s Energy Use May Gradually Rise—But Remains Extremely Low

While Ethereum’s overall energy footprint remains negligible compared to its pre-Merge levels, CCAF notes a gradual upward trend in consumption due to network growth.

Between December 12, 2021, and April 11, 2023:

This rise reflects expanding adoption and validator participation, not inefficiency. Even with this growth, Ethereum’s total energy usage remains orders of magnitude below Bitcoin’s and most traditional financial systems when adjusted for transaction volume and economic activity.

It's also important to note that energy consumption alone doesn’t capture the full environmental impact. Factors like hardware production, e-waste, and greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing computing equipment contribute to a network’s total carbon footprint. However, PoS drastically reduces these indirect costs by eliminating the need for specialized mining rigs and constant hardware upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How much energy does Ethereum use now compared to before The Merge?
A: Ethereum’s energy consumption dropped by 99.99% after switching to proof-of-stake. It now uses less than 0.000671 GW, down from 2.44 GW under proof-of-work.

Q: Is Ethereum greener than Bitcoin?
A: Yes—by an enormous margin. Bitcoin uses tens of terawatt-hours annually, while post-Merge Ethereum consumes only a few gigawatt-hours—making it over 10,000 times more efficient per transaction.

Q: Does increased node count mean higher environmental impact?
A: Not significantly. Even with growing validator numbers, each node uses minimal power—similar to running a home computer. The network remains highly scalable and eco-efficient.

Q: Can other blockchains replicate Ethereum’s energy savings?
A: Yes—any blockchain using proof-of-stake or similar consensus mechanisms can achieve low energy use. Ethereum’s success demonstrates that high performance and sustainability can coexist.

Q: Where does the data on Ethereum’s energy use come from?
A: The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) publishes verified estimates based on validator counts, node distribution, and network activity metrics.

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Final Thoughts

Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake through The Merge represents one of the most significant environmental improvements in tech history. By slashing energy use by nearly 100%, it has set a new benchmark for sustainability in decentralized systems.

As blockchain adoption grows, networks like Ethereum prove that innovation doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. With continued development in scalability (via rollups and sharding) and carbon-aware staking initiatives, Ethereum is poised to become not just a leader in smart contracts—but in ecological responsibility too.

For investors, developers, and environmentally conscious users alike, Ethereum’s story offers hope: technology can evolve to meet both performance and planetary needs.