French lawmakers are pushing a bold new strategy to deal with the country’s nuclear energy surplus—turning to Bitcoin mining.

A legislative proposal recently submitted to the National Assembly seeks an official study into how Bitcoin mining could become a key part of France’s energy infrastructure. The idea: use mining operations to absorb excess electricity from the national grid.

“Bitcoin mining is a flexible and adaptable energy consumer,” the proposal states. Lawmakers argue it could stabilize the grid and “reduce strain on nuclear plants” by scaling up or down based on electricity availability.

France generates more than 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, making it a global leader in low-carbon energy. But that strength sometimes backfires—when supply outpaces demand, energy goes to waste.

Raphaël Bloch, co-founder of crypto news outlet The Big Whale, recently estimated that France lost around €80 million worth of unused electricity in 2024 alone.

Supporters of the proposal see Bitcoin mining as a win-win solution. “We can convert wasted energy into economic value,” the document argues.

Lawmakers also want to repurpose abandoned industrial sites as mining hubs and suggest using the heat generated from mining to warm nearby homes and businesses.

If approved, the proposal would represent a major shift in France’s stance on crypto mining, reframing it from an environmental concern to a potential asset in the national energy strategy.

Advocates believe the move could help meet France’s decarbonization targets, spark innovation, and create jobs in underused regions.