France’s Right Wing Party Proposes Bitcoin Mining with Nuclear Power

The plan could solve a costly problem for France while generating millions in revenue. The country often produces more electricity than it can use, forcing energy companies to sell surplus power at huge losses or even pay other countries to take it.

Marine Le Pen, who leads Rassemblement National, announced her support for Bitcoin mining during a March visit to the Flamanville nuclear power plant. This represents a dramatic change for someone who called for banning all cryptocurrencies in France back in 2016.

At that time, Le Pen argued that digital currencies would take control away from citizens and hand it to global banking systems. She warned that making cash disappear in favor of digital money would harm regular people.

Now, her party sees Bitcoin mining as a way to strengthen France’s economy and make better use of wasted energy. RN lawmaker Aurélien Lopez-Liguori has drafted legislation to install mining equipment at nuclear plants operated by Électricité de France, the state-owned utility company.

France faces a growing challenge with its nuclear success story. The country generates over 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, making it one of the world’s most nuclear-dependent nations. While this keeps carbon emissions low, it creates problems when demand drops.

In 2024, France exported a record 89 TWh of electricity to neighboring countries. However, energy producers lost €80 million due to negative electricity prices when they had to sell surplus power at a loss. The situation became so severe that in March 2025, France’s transmission operator had to pay nearly €12,000 per megawatt-hour to European partners just to dispose of excess electricity.

This waste happens because electricity grids must balance supply and demand in real time. France often produces more power than it can store or consume, especially during off-peak hours when nuclear plants continue running at full capacity.

The proposed legislation submitted to the French National Assembly on July 11, 2025, outlines a five-year pilot program. The plan would allow energy producers to redirect surplus electricity to Bitcoin mining operations located directly at nuclear facilities.

Industry experts estimate that just one gigawatt of unused nuclear power could generate $100-150 million annually in Bitcoin revenue. The Association for the Development of Digital Assets, a French crypto industry group, believes this amount would be enough to offset fixed costs in France’s nuclear fleet while providing new public revenue.

The mining computers would automatically shut down when electricity demand rises, ensuring regular consumers always get priority access to power. When demand is low, the excess energy would flow to Bitcoin mining operations instead of being wasted.

The proposal goes beyond just generating Bitcoin revenue. Mining computers produce significant heat that can be captured and reused for other purposes. The legislation envisions using this waste heat to warm buildings, agricultural greenhouses, or industrial processes.

This concept already works in Nordic countries. In Sweden, mining operations help heat greenhouses for growing fruits and vegetables year-round. Norwegian companies use mining heat to dry timber, while Finnish firms pay Bitcoin miners $15-30 per megawatt-hour for their excess heat to warm homes through district heating systems.

These dual-purpose operations could make Bitcoin mining even more economically attractive while addressing France’s energy efficiency goals.

This isn’t France’s first attempt at Bitcoin mining legislation. The National Assembly rejected a similar amendment in June 2025 on procedural grounds, without even discussing its merits. The current proposal faces political challenges, particularly because it comes from the far-right party.

Environmental groups criticize crypto mining as energy-intensive, regardless of the power source. They argue it sends the wrong message about climate responsibility. Political opponents also question the wisdom of embracing an asset class they view as unstable and ideologically incompatible with state monetary control.

However, some government officials show openness to the idea. Digital Minister Clara Chappaz said the government needs to “take a serious look at it” and “analyze this type of subject from an economic point of view, without ideology.”

Even within Rassemblement National, not everyone supports the plan. Senior party official Jean-Philippe Tanguy expressed concerns about giving up state control over money, warning against “currency independence” that contradicts traditional monetary policy.

France wouldn’t be alone in using government resources for Bitcoin mining. Several countries have already launched or proposed state-backed mining initiatives using excess energy.

Bhutan quietly became one of the world’s largest state Bitcoin miners, accumulating over 13,000 BTC worth approximately $758 million through hydroelectric-powered operations. This represents nearly 40% of the small Himalayan nation’s entire GDP.

El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, mines the cryptocurrency using volcanic geothermal energy. Pakistan announced plans to divert 2,000 megawatts of excess electricity to Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers.

Industry analysts warn that rejecting such proposals could mean missing opportunities in what some describe as a “digital financial arms race” between nations.

The success of France’s proposal remains uncertain. The bill must navigate a complex political landscape where crypto remains controversial. Opposition parties will likely challenge the plan on environmental and financial stability grounds.

If approved, France could become the first European country to officially combine nuclear energy with state-backed Bitcoin mining. This would not only boost the country’s digital asset reserves but also set an example for other nations exploring ways to monetize surplus renewable or nuclear energy.