From Nuclear Waste to Bitcoin Wealth: France’s Surprising Plan

by

The €80 Million Energy Problem

France, the land of baguettes and berets, is facing a bit of a pickle. They’ve got so much nuclear power that they’re practically tripping over it. In fact, in 2024, they broke their record for net electricity exports with 89 TWh sold to their neighbors. But guess what? They lost €80 million because they had to sell their surplus power at a loss. Ouch!

On March 2, 2025, RTE (the transmission system operator) had to pay nearly €12,000 per megawatt-hour to European counterparts to dispose of excess electricity. That’s like paying someone to take your leftover pizza after you’ve already eaten your fill. It’s a real head-scratcher, isn’t it?

Nuclear power provides over 70% of France’s electricity, making it one of the world’s most nuclear-dependent nations. While this keeps carbon emissions low, it creates inflexible production that’s hard to adjust when demand drops. It’s like trying to change the course of the Titanic after it’s already hit an iceberg.

The Bitcoin Mining Solution

But fear not, dear reader! French lawmakers from the National Rally party have a plan that’s sure to make you say, “Mais oui!” On July 11, 2025, they submitted a new bill to the French National Assembly proposing a five-year test program. According to French media reports, the bill was deposited at the National Assembly to authorize experimental use of electricity surplus for cryptocurrency mining. The plan would allow energy producers to use excess power—particularly from nuclear and renewable sources—for mining Bitcoin, with potential annual revenue estimated at $100-150 million from just one gigawatt of surplus energy. 💸

Heat Recovery Benefits

The proposal goes beyond just making money from surplus electricity. Mining computers release considerable heat that can be captured via heat exchangers to heat buildings, agricultural greenhouses, or power industrial processes. It’s like turning your computer’s heat into a cozy blanket for your plants and factories. Nordic countries are already doing this successfully, so why can’t France?

In Sweden, Genesis Mining participates in a research project studying repurposing waste heat from bitcoin mining to grow fruits and vegetables in greenhouses, with a 600 kW mining container providing sufficient heat for a 300m² greenhouse, even in winter temperatures as low as -30°C. That’s like having a personal greenhouse in your living room, but with Bitcoin miners instead of plants. 🍅🍋

Norway’s largest Bitcoin miner uses waste heat to dry timber, while Finnish companies pay Bitcoin miners between $15-30 per megawatt-hour for their excess heat to warm homes through district heating systems. It’s like having a giant, eco-friendly space heater powered by Bitcoin miners. 🔥

Political Challenges Ahead

This isn’t France’s first attempt at Bitcoin mining legislation. In June 2025, an initial amendment was rejected by the French National Assembly on procedural grounds under Article 98 of parliamentary rules, without discussion of its merits. The current proposal faces political hurdles. The motion is likely to be challenged as it comes from the far right, which could lead to heated political clashes, with analysts expecting criticism about excessive energy consumption and alleged links between the extreme right and crypto. It’s like trying to pass a bill that says, “Let’s use our nuclear waste to mine Bitcoin,” in a room full of people who think Bitcoin is a scam and nuclear power is the devil’s work. 💣

However, government officials show some openness to the idea. Digital Minister Clara Chappaz has said the government needs to “take a serious look at it” and “analyze this type of subject from an economic point of view, without ideology.” It’s like saying, “Hey, let’s put our differences aside and look at the numbers, shall we?”

Global Context and Competition

France isn’t alone in exploring Bitcoin mining for energy management. The interest reflects a broader international trend of countries seeing Bitcoin mining as a strategic tool to balance energy supply, reduce waste, and support innovation in the digital economy, with Belarus also studying Bitcoin mining for surplus power consumption. Only a few countries have officially embraced Bitcoin mining as national policy. El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender and uses geothermal energy for mining, while Bhutan quietly mines Bitcoin with hydroelectric power. Industry analysts view rejection of such proposals as missed opportunities, with some warning that countries embracing Bitcoin may gain competitive advantages in what’s described as a “digital financial arms race.” It’s like saying, “If you don’t mine Bitcoin with your nuclear waste, you’re falling behind in the global race for digital domination.” 🚀

The Association for the Development of Digital Assets argues that France could strengthen its position in the growing digital asset economy while solving real energy problems. ADAN calls for a pilot project with EDF and development of a tailored regulatory framework to make Bitcoin mining an asset for energy transition and innovation. It’s like saying, “Let’s not just throw away our nuclear waste, let’s turn it into digital gold!” 🥇

Looking Forward

The proposal addresses a real problem costing France millions annually. France’s nuclear fleet faces pressure from reactor modulation used to balance demand and integrate intermittent renewable energy sources, which accelerates equipment wear and increases maintenance costs (€66 billion for the Grand Carénage program by 2028). Whether French lawmakers can move past political divisions to evaluate the practical benefits remains unclear. The success of similar programs in Nordic countries provides encouraging examples, but France’s larger scale and different political landscape present unique challenges. The proposal represents a potential shift in how countries think about energy waste and digital innovation. For France, it could transform an expensive problem into a revenue source while supporting the country’s nuclear infrastructure and climate goals. It’s like turning lemons into lemonade, but with nuclear waste and Bitcoin. 🍋💸

Read More

2025-07-18 00:24