Bitcoin News Today: French Lawmakers Propose Bitcoin Mining to Monetize Nuclear Surplus Energy

French lawmakers have intensified their focus on Bitcoin mining, asserting that the country could generate an annual revenue of up to $150 million from the industry. This initiative was outlined in a bill submitted to the French National Assembly on July 11, which proposes a five-year pilot program. The program aims to allow electricity producers to redirect excess power, often wasted during periods of low grid demand, toward Bitcoin mining operations.

The lawmakers cited data from the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN), which projects that dedicating just one gigawatt of surplus energy could generate between $100 million and $150 million each year. This revenue could help offset the fixed costs of maintaining France’s nuclear fleet while monetizing energy that would otherwise be sold at a loss.

The bill follows a previous call from French lawmakers in June, urging the government to explore whether Bitcoin mining could absorb the excess power generated from the country’s nuclear plants. The lawmakers highlighted that France’s energy grid is under increasing pressure due to the growth of intermittent renewables like wind and solar. They emphasized that the significant share of renewable energy sources in the electricity mix is leading to recurring imbalances on the grid, including episodes of overproduction that force electricity producers to sell at a loss due to a lack of storage facilities. These unutilized surpluses represent an unacceptable economic and energy loss.

To address this challenge, the French lawmakers are advocating for the establishment of Bitcoin mining centers co-located with nuclear production facilities. These centers would only activate when there is excess energy, providing a real-time, flexible method for grid stabilization without affecting consumer supply. The lawmakers noted that existing infrastructure, currently underutilized or closed, could accommodate this new infrastructure. They cited examples from other countries where former factories or decommissioned power plants have been transformed into mining farms operating on carbon-free electricity.

The legislation also underscored the secondary benefits of Bitcoin mining activities, including heat recovery. The mining rigs can generate significant heat, which can be redirected to district heating systems, greenhouses, or industrial operations. The lawmakers highlighted examples from countries like Finland, where Bitcoin mining heat is used to support agriculture and sustainable infrastructure.

If approved, the pilot program would commence immediately and last roughly five years, with oversight from the French Council of State. After six months, a full evaluation report would assess the feasibility of broader adoption. This effort positions France among a growing group of regions exploring Bitcoin mining as a strategic response to electricity oversupply.