The comparison is quite appropriate, since the block reward that miners compete for is mostly the fixed new emission (currently 12.5 BTC), with transaction fees

The comparison is quite appropriate, since the block reward that miners compete for is mostly the fixed new emission (currently 12.5 BTC), with transaction fees making up a much smaller amount. In other words, the huge energy costs of Bitcoin should be attributed more to coin distribution than to transaction processing, although this balance will tip in the coming decades.