What’s Going On?
France’s far-right party Rassemblement National (RN) has submitted a law proposal to launch a five-year pilot program that uses wasted nuclear energy to power Bitcoin mining operations directly at nuclear power plants. This represents a major policy shift: previously, RN strongly opposed cryptocurrencies.
How Could It Work?
-
France produces over 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, and often has surplus energy that isn’t needed by the grid, leading to losses. In 2024, France lost about €80 million due to negative electricity prices.
-
The proposal would allow excess power up to 1 gigawatt, to fuel Bitcoin mining, potentially generating $100–150 million in revenue annually.
-
The mining operations would shut down when electricity demand rises, ensuring that consumers are never affected.
Added Benefits
-
Heat reuse: Bitcoin mining generates significant heat which can be repurposed to warm buildings, greenhouses or help industrial operations, similar strategies are already used in Scandinavia.
-
Grid stability: Mining provides a flexible energy sink, ready to turn on or off based on grid needs. This helps manage wastes and reduce wear on power infrastructure.
-
Economic reuse of old sites: Mining centers could be located in abandoned industrial zones, helping with local development.
Political and Public Response
-
RN’s leader, Marine Le Pen, previously pushed anti-crypto legislation, but now views Bitcoin mining as an opportunity for economic sovereignty and better energy use.
-
The proposal faces political hurdles. Critics, particularly from environmental groups object to the energy consumption of crypto mining, raising concerns about sustainability.
-
France’s Digital Minister, Clara Chappaz, has acknowledged the idea merits thoughtful economic and ideological evaluation.
Simplification
- Turn energy waste into revenue – Helps cover nuclear plant costs
- Make mining responsive to demand – Safeguards normal electricity use
- Repurpose heat and locations – Boosts green and local development
- Signals shift in crypto politics – Shows growing political acceptance
This initiative could make France the first European nation to officially link Bitcoin mining with state energy policy. That could influence how other countries use excess or renewable energy in the future.
