The National Rally party in France is preparing a bill to leverage surplus nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining.
Proposal for Nuclear Energy Usage
Led by MP Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, the bill proposes a five-year pilot program at nuclear plants like Flamanville. The initiative aims to harness excess energy produced by nuclear power during periods of low demand to mine Bitcoin.
Marine Le Pen’s Policy Shift
This marks a significant shift for RN leader Marine Le Pen. In 2016, she called for a total ban on cryptocurrencies, considering them tools of elites. By 2022, her stance softened, and she began advocating for cryptocurrency regulation instead of banning. In 2025, she further supported the plan for France to directly mine Bitcoin using its nuclear capacity.
Significance and Potential Impact
Industry estimates suggest that one gigawatt of surplus nuclear power could generate $100–150 million in Bitcoin revenue annually. Additionally, this initiative could help stabilize the power grid as mining farms can quickly ramp up or decrease operations based on supply and demand. However, environmental groups criticize the approach due to the high energy consumption of crypto mining.
If France proceeds with this proposal, it could become the first European country to officially integrate nuclear energy and Bitcoin mining, setting a precedent for others exploring ways to monetize surplus renewable or nuclear energy.
