French MPs Float Plan to Mine Bitcoin With Surplus Nuclear Energy
France is exploring a novel approach to utilizing its abundant nuclear energy: Bitcoin mining. A group of French lawmakers is drafting legislation to allow the use of surplus electricity from nuclear power plants to power Bitcoin mining operations. This initiative, as reported by Le Monde, proposes installing mining hardware at facilities owned by Électricité de France (EDF), the state-owned utility. The plan leverages the excess energy generated by France’s extensive network of nuclear power plants.
This proposal is significant given France’s position as the EU’s leading nuclear power producer, accounting for over half of the bloc’s total output in 2023, according to Eurostat. The process of nuclear fission generates considerable heat, a significant portion of which is currently wasted. Eurostat data indicates that over two-thirds of the heat generated is lost. This proposed legislation aims to harness this otherwise wasted energy for profitable Bitcoin mining.
Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, a parliament member involved in drafting the bill, describes the initiative as a “secure and extremely profitable solution.” While the draft is in its early stages, it follows a previously rejected June amendment that suggested assessing the potential contribution of cryptocurrency mining to France’s energy mix. This renewed push highlights a growing interest in exploring innovative applications for surplus energy.
The concept of using surplus energy for Bitcoin mining is gaining traction globally. Pakistan recently allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity from underutilized coal-fired power plants to support both Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers. Similarly, Tether, a major stablecoin issuer, is investigating Bitcoin mining using surplus renewable energy from Adecoagro, a South American agribusiness in which Tether holds a 70% stake.
France’s proposal, if successful, would represent a significant development in the intersection of energy production and cryptocurrency mining. It demonstrates a potential pathway for countries with substantial energy surpluses to monetize otherwise wasted resources, generating economic benefits while addressing energy efficiency concerns. The initiative also raises questions about the environmental implications of Bitcoin mining and the long-term sustainability of such approaches. Further analysis will be needed to fully assess the environmental and economic consequences of utilizing nuclear energy in this manner.
