The French government is exploring Bitcoin mining as a strategic use of the surplus nuclear energy. On July 11, French lawmakers submitted a bill proposing a five-year Bitcoin mining pilot to utilize surplus nuclear energy, with potential annual revenue generation of $100–150 million. The lawmakers proposed to the National Assembly to allow electricity producers to redirect excess nuclear energy to power Bitcoin mining operations.
The proposal builds on earlier calls to explore mining as a solution for excess power. With this proposal, France is aligning with global standards in efficient energy management.
France To Go Into Bitcoin Mining
According to the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN), France can dedicate one gigawatt of surplus energy towards Bitcoin mining. This could potentially generate up to $150 million in annual revenue. This revenue could help France to offset the cost of maintaining the nuclear plant while monetizing energy.
French lawmakers argue that France’s energy grid faces an imbalance due to the growth of other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. France generates over 70% of its electricity via nuclear energy, and this creates a recurring imbalance. This forces electricity producers to sell at a loss due to insufficient storage facilities, resulting in an economic loss.
The French lawmakers’ proposition for Bitcoin mining couldn’t have come at a better time. Bitcoin mining can become a dynamic, on-demand power reservoir that can convert unused energy into economic output. The BTC mining centers will be established at the same location as the nuclear facilities. According to them, these centers would only activate when there’s surplus energy, offering a real-time and efficient method for regulating energy use.
How the Proposal Will Benefit France
The French government will profit about $150 million yearly from the otherwise unused energy, which would help offset maintenance costs. In addition, diverting electricity to BTC mining will minimize grid imbalance and loss, which providers experience.
With the new mining proposal, France can repurpose decommissioned industrial zones into mining facilities to create job opportunities and boost economic activity. The legislation said that with their proposal, existing infrastructure, which is currently underutilized, would accommodate the new infrastructure. They said other countries are turning their former factories or decommissioned power plants into mining farms.
Furthermore, the move will project France as a regulated mining hub, where clean energy mining is prioritized. This will attract several BTC mining companies, which not only boost the crypto ecosystem activity but also add to the government’s coffers.
Lawmakers Highlight the Secondary Benefits of Bitcoin Mining
Apart from utilizing unused energy and generating power, the lawmakers highlight that Bitcoin mining can generate significant heat, which can be redirected to heating systems and greenhouses. They cite Finland and Sweden as one of the few countries utilizing the Bitcoin mining heat to support agriculture and other infrastructure.
If all goes according to plan, France will begin piloting Bitcoin mining, which would last for 5 years. The French Council of State will supervise the entire mining operation. After six months of debating the bill, an evaluation report will ascertain if the initiative is feasible or not.
France joins other countries, such as Pakistan and Belarus, in considering Bitcoin mining as an alternative to utilize excess energy. Texas, in the United States, is also exploring BTC mining with unused energy.
