The Chinese miners only dominate because they get free electricity through deals with their govt. That isn't about the west "sitting on their ass", but about an uneven playing field due to hidden subsidies.
the chinese actually pay for electric.
what the chinese get is free ASICS.
for $2100 they get from retail customers, asic manufacturers can make upto 5 ASICS..
thus give 1 asic to a poor schuck that pays the retail $2100 for one rig.
keep 4 for themselves..
well the smart option they choose
for $2100 they make 3 rigs .. give one to the retail customer that handed them $2100,,
keep $840.. and run the 2 spare rigs themselves
and spend the $840 on electric and wages.
that $840 works out as electric for the 2 rigs for 11 months netting them a further 3btc in pure profit for running the 2 miners for those 11 months
as for the powerplants electric.
the world is trying to develop area's like mongolia.
so they set up a power plant. ready to cope with future housing, retail and industry..
but while there are no houses, shops and industry. the electric that leaves the power plant is not being used (pure waste)
but the power plant is still producing a minimum electric output as thats just how plants work.
so while the power plant is producing and wasting XXXmegawats. and the energy is wasted going down cables that dont plug into anything..
they might aswell let anyone that wants to use it, use it. the power plant atleast gets paid for it then and its not a complete waste while they develop new towns and cities