Harnessing Bitcoin Mining to Optimize France’s Surplus Energy Production
A group of lawmakers in France has put forth a compelling proposal to leverage Bitcoin mining as a solution for the country’s ongoing issue with surplus electricity production. Submitted to the French National Assembly on June 12, this initiative seeks to explore how Bitcoin’s energy-intensive mining process can be utilized to absorb excess power, particularly from the nuclear plants that are paramount to France’s energy landscape. The proposal argues that as France aims to optimize the management of its surplus electricity, Bitcoin mining could serve as a viable option given its specific technical attributes.
Nuclear energy dominates France’s power generation landscape, contributing over 70% of its electricity supply according to EBSCO data. While this positions France as a leader in clean energy, it creates a significant challenge in the form of frequent electricity overproduction. In fact, Raphaël Bloch, co-founder of The Big Whale, highlighted the financial repercussions of this surplus, revealing that France lost nearly €80 million in wasted electricity in 2024 alone. The lawmakers contend that Bitcoin mining could have transformed this excess into economic value, turning a potential loss into a beneficial resource.
As part of this ambitious proposal, the lawmakers are calling for an official review to determine how Bitcoin mining operations can be systematically integrated into France’s national energy system. They emphasize that Bitcoin mining facilities can act as flexible energy consumers. Their operations can be quickly adjusted, they can be situated near power stations, and they can be scaled up or down without interrupting the grid. By promoting such flexibility in energy consumption, the lawmakers believe this approach could stabilize energy markets and mitigate the wear and tear on nuclear plants which typically require constant output adjustments.
The proposal goes a step further by suggesting that outdated industrial sites could be repurposed into Bitcoin mining centers. The concept is that the excess heat generated from these mining operations could be redirected to assist nearby cities or industries, thus creating additional avenues for resource optimization. Furthermore, the lawmakers are advocating for the establishment of a regulated, low-carbon Bitcoin mining sector in France. They argue that such a framework would not only align with the country’s goals for decarbonization but also serve as a potential catalyst for innovation and job creation in the region.
France’s keen interest in Bitcoin mining mirrors a wider global trend, wherein countries are increasingly recognizing the strategic advantages of Bitcoin mining as a mechanism to balance energy supply and promote innovation in the digital economy. Earlier this year, Belarus’s President instructed his government to investigate Bitcoin mining as a means to consume surplus power, reflecting similar objectives. Furthermore, recent announcements from Pakistan’s national crypto council—regarding plans to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity to BTC mining and AI data centers—underscore the growing inclination worldwide to utilize Bitcoin mining as a solution for surplus energy.
Bitcoin mining has begun to be redefined as an essential player in global energy management, with researchers like Daniel Batten highlighting its unique energy-consumption model. This model has the potential not only to ensure energy affordability but also to foster abundance. The proposed initiative in France, spotlighting Bitcoin mining as an innovative approach to addressing surplus electricity issues, could pave the way for a new chapter in the country’s energy consumption narrative. As the discussions progress, the importance of regulatory frameworks and market stabilization strategies will be crucial to the successful integration of Bitcoin mining into France’s robust energy ecosystem.
