French Lawmakers Push Bitcoin Mining Plan to Tackle Nuclear Energy Waste

France faces a growing challenge with its nuclear power success. The country produces more electricity than it can use, leading to expensive waste. In 2024, France broke its record for net electricity exports with 89 TWh sold to its neighbors, but €80 million was lost by producers due to negative electricity prices when surplus power had to be sold at a loss.

The situation has become so severe that on March 2, 2025, RTE (the transmission system operator) had to pay nearly €12,000 per megawatt-hour to European counterparts to dispose of excess electricity. This happens because electricity grids must balance supply and demand in real time, and France often produces more power than it can store or consume.

Nuclear power provides over 70% of France’s electricity, making it one of the world’s most nuclear-dependent nations. While this keeps carbon emissions low, it creates inflexible production that’s hard to adjust when demand drops.

On July 11, 2025, French lawmakers from the National Rally party submitted a new bill to the French National Assembly proposing a five-year test program. According to French media reports, the bill was deposited at the National Assembly to authorize experimental use of electricity surplus for cryptocurrency mining. The plan would allow energy producers to use excess power—particularly from nuclear and renewable sources—for mining Bitcoin, with potential annual revenue estimated at $100-150 million from just one gigawatt of surplus energy

The proposal goes beyond just making money from surplus electricity. Mining computers release considerable heat that can be captured via heat exchangers to heat buildings, agricultural greenhouses or power industrial processes.

This isn’t just theory. Nordic countries already use this approach successfully. In Sweden, Genesis Mining participates in a research project studying repurposing waste heat from bitcoin mining to grow fruits and vegetables in greenhouses, with a 600 kW mining container providing sufficient heat for a 300m² greenhouse, even in winter temperatures as low as -30°C.

Norway’s largest Bitcoin miner uses waste heat to dry timber, while Finnish companies pay Bitcoin miners between $15-30 per megawatt-hour for their excess heat to warm homes through district heating systems.

This isn’t France’s first attempt at Bitcoin mining legislation. In June 2025, an initial amendment was rejected by the French National Assembly on procedural grounds under Article 98 of parliamentary rules, without discussion of its merits.

The current proposal faces political hurdles. The motion is likely to be challenged as it comes from the far right, which could lead to heated political clashes, with analysts expecting criticism about excessive energy consumption and alleged links between the extreme right and crypto.

However, government officials show some openness to the idea. Digital Minister Clara Chappaz has 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.”

France isn’t alone in exploring Bitcoin mining for energy management. The interest reflects a broader international trend of countries seeing Bitcoin mining as a strategic tool to balance energy supply, reduce waste, and support innovation in the digital economy, with Belarus also studying Bitcoin mining for surplus power consumption.

Only a few countries have officially embraced Bitcoin mining as national policy. El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender and uses geothermal energy for mining, while Bhutan quietly mines Bitcoin with hydroelectric power. Industry analysts view rejection of such proposals as missed opportunities, with some warning that countries embracing Bitcoin may gain competitive advantages in what’s described as a “digital financial arms race”.

The Association for the Development of Digital Assets argues that France could strengthen its position in the growing digital asset economy while solving real energy problems. ADAN calls for a pilot project with EDF and development of a tailored regulatory framework to make Bitcoin mining an asset for energy transition and innovation.

The proposal addresses a real problem costing France millions annually. France’s nuclear fleet faces pressure from reactor modulation used to balance demand and integrate intermittent renewable energy sources, which accelerates equipment wear and increases maintenance costs (€66 billion for the Grand Carénage program by 2028).

Whether French lawmakers can move past political divisions to evaluate the practical benefits remains unclear. The success of similar programs in Nordic countries provides encouraging examples, but France’s larger scale and different political landscape present unique challenges.

The proposal represents a potential shift in how countries think about energy waste and digital innovation. For France, it could transform an expensive problem into a revenue source while supporting the country’s nuclear infrastructure and climate goals.