France's far-right National Rally party (Rassemblement National, or RN) is preparing to introduce a bill that would establish a five-year pilot program to use surplus nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining. The proposal, spearheaded by MP Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, aims to convert excess electricity from nuclear plants into Bitcoin, especially during periods of low power demand when the energy would otherwise go to waste.
This initiative marks a significant policy shift for RN leader Marine Le Pen, who previously called for a complete ban on cryptocurrencies in 2016. Her stance evolved to favor regulation in 2022, and now she supports a direct state-led Bitcoin mining effort.
Proponents of the plan suggest it could be a profitable venture, with one gigawatt of surplus power potentially generating $100–150 million annually in Bitcoin revenue. They also argue that mining operations could help stabilize the power grid by acting as a flexible energy consumer. Additionally, the heat generated by mining could be repurposed for heating residential and public spaces, a concept already in use in other countries.
The proposal has been met with mixed reactions. While RN sees it as an economic and environmental benefit, critics, including environmental groups, remain concerned about the high energy consumption of crypto mining. The bill also faces political hurdles, as a similar measure was previously rejected. If passed, France would become the first European country to officially merge nuclear energy with Bitcoin mining, potentially influencing other nations to explore similar strategies for monetizing surplus energy.
August 2025, Cryptoniteuae