France considers redirecting nuclear surplus to state-backed Bitcoin mining

Members of France’s National Rally have championed Bitcoin mining as a way to monetize France’s surplus nuclear electricity.

According to French media outlet Le Monde, far-right lawmakers have positioned Bitcoin mining as a practical solution to longstanding energy and economic inefficiencies, arguing that the country’s underutilized nuclear grid offers an untapped opportunity for generating digital value.

Why are French lawmakers turning to Bitcoin mining?

France’s energy grid frequently produces more electricity than the market demands, especially from its vast network of nuclear power plants, which generate over 70% of the country’s electricity.

Le Monde reports that National Rally deputies see Bitcoin mining as a means of turning this excess nuclear electricity, often sold at a loss or wasted entirely, into a productive industrial resource. 

They argue that France’s energy grid, heavily reliant on nuclear power, frequently generates surpluses during off-peak periods. Without adequate storage capacity, these surpluses strain the grid and depress wholesale electricity prices.

The National Rally has framed the issue as one of sovereignty and reindustrialization. Instead of allowing unused power to go to waste—or selling it at a loss during periods of low demand—they advocate using it to mine Bitcoin. 

By doing so, they argue, France could ease the financial strain on its nuclear fleet while putting surplus electricity to productive use, rather than selling it at a loss or letting it go to waste. 

Supporters contend that such a strategy would not only help stabilize the national grid but also attract investment in digital infrastructure, potentially giving France a competitive edge in the European crypto economy.

A five-year trial

Last month, a group of 76 lawmakers, led by the National Rally, has already submitted a proposal to the French National Assembly, calling for a national Bitcoin mining pilot using surplus nuclear energy.

The bill calls for a five-year national pilot program that would allow electricity producers to redirect surplus power to Bitcoin mining operations. These mining centers would be co-located with nuclear production facilities, enabling real-time access to idle electricity during periods of low demand.

Per the proposal, the pilot would be governed by a decree from the French Council of State and would include strict oversight mechanisms. The mining centers would operate only when the grid experiences excess supply, and they would shut down automatically when demand rises, thereby preserving stability without affecting consumer power delivery.

The proposal also outlines secondary objectives, including the recovery of heat generated by mining rigs, the reindustrialization of abandoned infrastructure, and the stimulation of local economic activity. 

According to estimates from the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN) cited within the proposal, redirecting just one gigawatt of surplus electricity could generate between $100 million and $150 million annually, which is deemed enough to offset fixed costs in France’s nuclear fleet and provide a new source of public revenue.

Bitcoin mining trends across the globe

France is not alone in viewing Bitcoin mining as a strategic tool for energy optimization and economic development. Around the world, several governments have launched or proposed state-backed mining initiatives.

Pakistan, for instance, announced plans to divert up to 2,000 megawatts of excess electricity to Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Bhutan has quietly become one of the world’s largest state-backed Bitcoin miners. Since 2020, the government, through its investment arm Druk Holding & Investments (DHI), has mined over 11,400 BTC, an amount equivalent to nearly 40% of the nation’s GDP.

Meanwhile, El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, has been powering its Bitcoin mining with volcanic geothermal energy.