France сonsiders Bitcoin mining to manage nuclear energy surplus
French lawmakers propose low-carbon Bitcoin mining infrastructure
Bitcoin mining could become a strategic tool for managing surplus electricity production in France, driven by the country’s expansive nuclear energy sector.
A legislative proposal submitted to the French National Assembly calls for an official study to explore the potential use of Bitcoin mining as a solution for excess electricity consumption.
France derives over 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, maintaining its leadership in clean energy production. However, this low-emission energy generation often leads to regular overproduction.
Raphaël Bloch, co-founder of The Big Whale, recently emphasized the economic losses caused by surplus energy, estimating that France wasted €80 million in 2024 alone. Lawmakers argue that Bitcoin mining operations could turn this lost energy into valuable economic output.
“As France seeks to optimize the management of surplus electricity—particularly from nuclear or renewable sources—Bitcoin mining offers unique technical opportunities,” the proposal states.
A New energy sector emerges
According to SpazioCrypto, the proposed legislation mandates a formal assessment of the integration conditions needed to make Bitcoin mining part of the national energy infrastructure. Supporters claim that mining centers are highly flexible energy consumers, capable of rapidly scaling operations up or down.
These facilities could be located near power plants and expand without destabilizing the grid—helping to stabilize energy markets and reduce wear on nuclear plants by minimizing the need for frequent production adjustments.
The proposal recommends repurposing abandoned industrial sites as mining centers, allowing the recovery of heat generated by mining to power nearby urban and industrial areas.
If approved, France would begin building a regulated, low-carbon Bitcoin mining sector that could support national decarbonization goals while fostering innovation and employment.
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