France may tap Bitcoin mining to use surplus energy

French lawmakers propose using Bitcoin mining to reduce €80M in wasted electricity. BTC could help stabilize France’s grid and support innovation.

Lawmakers push Bitcoin as a grid solution

A new proposal submitted to France’s National Assembly on June 12 calls for a national study to assess how Bitcoin mining can absorb surplus electricity, particularly from nuclear and renewable sources.

France generates over 70% of its power from nuclear energy. While this contributes to low emissions, it also leads to frequent overproduction. In 2024 alone, the country reportedly wasted nearly €80 million worth of electricity.

Lawmakers argue that Bitcoin mining could have captured this energy and turned it into economic value.

BTC mining could stabilize the grid

The proposal calls for a formal government report on how BTC mining might integrate into France’s energy framework.

Bitcoin miners can be flexible energy consumers — they can be paused or ramped up quickly, co-located near power plants, and operate without destabilizing the grid. This could also reduce the need for nuclear output adjustments and extend plant lifespan.

They further suggest:

• Converting abandoned industrial sites into mining hubs.
• Using excess heat from miners to warm cities or factories.
• Establishing a regulated, low-carbon mining sector aligned with France’s green goals.

France joins a global shift

France’s interest in BTC mining echoes a growing global trend. Earlier this year, Belarus announced plans to study Bitcoin mining as a tool for energy absorption.

Pakistan recently allocated 2,000 megawatts of power to BTC mining and AI data centers. According to researcher Daniel Batten, Bitcoin mining can drive energy affordability and infrastructure resilience by utilizing underused resources.