It is true, not misunderstanding.
Bitcoin electricity consumption: an improved assessment. CBECI adjusted their methodology for their
Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index too.
See these two figures which shows the improvement of Bitcoin mining rigs including ASICs and difference between old and new methodologies. The report is very insightful that can answer your questions and even can enlighten you more.
Figure 1: Historical evolution of bitcoin mining hardware
Figure 6: Comparison of annual Bitcoin electricity consumption estimates (as of 15/08/2023). The result for 2023 represents the year-to-date estimate.
No, wrong example, unfortunately.
There was no reduction in consumption, it was just that Cambridge overestimated the consumption by thinking more old gear was present when it wasn't, so nothing went down, just an approximation got corrected.
And again even this correction is about energy prices:
Now, the CBECI doesn’t consider miners that aren’t profitable at “reasonable electricity rates.” It also takes into account the age of mining equipment and how devices tend to depreciate in value.
And let me show you a simple example, one year and a half fter the s9 launch the hashrate was the equivalent of 1 million 1350W ASICs, nowadays even with gear that hasn't been yet delivered we need 2 million 3500W machines.
1.3 GW VS 7GW!