France’s far-right party, the National Rally, has revealed a draft bill that would utilise the country’s surplus nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining.
The proposal aims to tap electricity that would otherwise be sold at a loss or go unused during times of low demand.
Lawmakers want to place mining centres close to power plants across France to make the plan cost-effective and secure.
Shift in Party Stance
Until recently, Marine Le Pen, leader of National Rally, dismissed virtual currencies as tools of the elite and Wall Street financiers.
In 2016, Marine Le Pen called for a ban on cryptocurrencies. By 2022, she had softened her tone and urged regulation and now, in 2025, she advocates for the direct mining of digital currencies. This rapid turnaround highlights the party’s changing approach to new technology.
Drafting the Legislation
Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, a National Rally lawmaker, took charge of turning the idea into legal text in July. He argues the plan is both safe and profitable. He said the state could gain revenue while reducing waste in the power system.
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His team is preparing detailed rules on how operators must handle the mining equipment and connect to the grid.
Five-Year Pilot Programme
The bill proposes a five-year pilot programme. It would let electricity producers channel excess power into dedicated Bitcoin rigs.
By focusing on periods when demand is low, the scheme avoids competing with households and businesses. Mining sites would be built in the shadow of France’s nuclear reactors, where transmission lines and cooling systems are already in place.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Supporters say the measure could bring extra income to the energy sector and local communities. They point out that France’s nuclear fleet often runs below full capacity.
Instead of shutting down reactors or exporting power at low prices, companies could run mining machines. Critics worry about the carbon footprint if the electricity were sourced from non-nuclear plants. However, the bill limits subsidies to nuclear producers only.
Role of Bpifrance
Alongside the draft legislation, the public investment bank Bpifrance has launched a €25 million fund for blockchain projects. The fund will back startups and research into distributed ledger technology.
Officials say it will help grow France’s digital asset ecosystem and attract talent. The move shows that state-backed institutions are taking cryptocurrencies and blockchain seriously.
Industry Reaction
Some energy experts praise the idea as a clever way to stabilise the grid. They say flexible demand from mining farms can balance fluctuations.
Blockchain companies have expressed interest in pilot licences, but environmental groups remain cautious. They want guarantees that only zero-carbon energy will power the operations and that any waste heat is reused for heating or industry.
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