Ethereum Uses Just 7.87 GWh of Electricity Annually After The Merge, Cambridge Study Finds

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Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) has reduced the blockchain’s annual electricity consumption to just 7.87 gigawatt-hours (GWh), according to a new report published by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF). The independent study found that Ethereum now consumes more than 99.98% less electricity than it did before The Merge, marking one of the most significant energy reductions in the blockchain industry.

The report provides one of the most detailed assessments of Ethereum’s environmental footprint since the network replaced its energy-intensive Proof-of-Work (PoW) mining model with PoS in September 2022. Researchers analyzed Ethereum’s validator infrastructure, hardware configurations, and geographic distribution to estimate electricity demand and associated carbon emissions.

Earlier this month, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined a vision for a “Lean Ethereum,” describing it as the network’s most significant architectural overhaul since The Merge. The proposal focuses on simplifying Ethereum’s design while improving scalability, security, and long-term sustainability.

Key Findings from the Cambridge Study

• Annual electricity consumption: 7.87 GWh
• Continuous network power demand: 0.90 MW
• Electricity reduction since The Merge: More than 99.98%
• Annual carbon emissions: Approximately 2.37 ktCO₂e
• Sustainable electricity share: 56.4%
• Fossil fuel-based electricity: 43.6%

How The Merge Changed Ethereum

Before The Merge, Ethereum relied on Proof-of-Work, where miners competed using specialized hardware to validate transactions. This process required an estimated continuous power demand of around 2.4 gigawatts, making Ethereum one of the world’s most energy-intensive blockchain networks.

Following the transition to Proof-of-Stake, validators now secure the network by staking ETH instead of performing complex computational tasks. As a result, electricity usage is largely limited to operating validator servers and network nodes, dramatically lowering the network’s energy requirements.

How Researchers Measured Ethereum’s Energy Use

• Analyzed approximately 8,522 publicly reachable Ethereum full nodes.
• Evaluated validator hardware and server configurations.
• Estimated electricity consumption based on hardware power ratings.
• Mapped node locations to regional electricity grids.
• Calculated carbon emissions using country-specific energy mixes.

Global Node Distribution

The study found that Ethereum’s infrastructure remains concentrated in a handful of countries. The United States hosts around 31% of publicly reachable nodes, followed by Germany (16%), Finland (8%), and France (6%). Together, these four countries account for roughly 62% of the network’s publicly accessible infrastructure.

Environmental Impact Improves

According to the report, Ethereum now consumes less than half the annual electricity used by the British Museum, illustrating the scale of its efficiency gains. The researchers also noted that the network’s carbon footprint could decline further as validator operators increasingly rely on cleaner electricity sources and renewable energy grids.

The findings provide independent evidence that Ethereum has significantly reduced its environmental impact while maintaining network security. As institutional investors and regulators continue to focus on sustainability, the report reinforces Ethereum’s position as one of the most energy-efficient major blockchain networks following its historic transition to Proof-of-Stake.

The Ethereum Foundation recently disbanded its Protocol Support Team as part of a broader organizational restructuring. The team previously coordinated Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), core developer meetings, network upgrade tracking, and ecosystem collaboration. The move reflects the foundation’s efforts to streamline operations while continuing to support Ethereum’s long-term protocol development.