France’s far-right National Rally party has unveiled a legislative initiative to use surplus electricity from the nation’s nuclear power plants for Bitcoin mining, a move aimed at transforming underutilized energy into digital economic assets.
The plan, first reported by Le Monde, proposes installing high-performance computing equipment at EDF (Électricité de France) facilities to channel unused nuclear energy into cryptocurrency mining operations.
Party leader Marine Le Pen publicly endorsed the initiative during her visit to the Flamanville nuclear plant in Normandy on March 11, emphasizing that “excess nuclear power, which is often difficult to store or redistribute, should benefit the digital economy rather than go to waste.”
National Rally MP Aurélien Lopez-Liguori is spearheading the effort to translate the idea into a formal legislative proposal, reflecting the party’s broader strategy to align France’s energy infrastructure with the growing demand for blockchain-based technologies.
By doing so, the party hopes to address energy inefficiency while positioning France as a leader in environmentally conscious cryptocurrency mining.
Proponents of the plan argue that Bitcoin mining, powered by emissions-free nuclear energy, could give France a competitive edge in the global digital asset market.
They highlight potential economic diversification, job creation in high-tech industries, and an opportunity to convert what is currently wasted energy into profitable activity.
However, the initiative is already drawing criticism from environmentalists and energy policy experts. Critics contend that France’s nuclear surplus could be more effectively allocated to supporting the development of green industries, such as hydrogen production, or to reinforcing domestic manufacturing during peak energy demands.
The use of nuclear energy for cryptocurrency, they argue, prioritizes speculative financial gains over long-term sustainability. The proposal is expected to trigger regulatory debates over the role of cryptocurrencies in France’s energy and economic strategies.
While the French government has not yet formalized a comprehensive policy regarding digital currencies or their environmental footprint, National Rally’s push may force policymakers to consider new guidelines for integrating surplus energy into the digital economy.
If adopted, France could emerge as a pioneer in leveraging its nuclear infrastructure for cryptocurrency mining, potentially setting a precedent for other energy-rich nations.
At the same time, the initiative underscores a growing tension in energy policy: balancing the promise of emerging technologies with the imperatives of environmental responsibility and industrial competitiveness.
For now, the feasibility of the plan will depend on technical execution, public acceptance, and political momentum. As France continues to navigate the crossroads of green energy and digital finance, National Rally’s nuclear-powered Bitcoin proposal has ignited a debate that extends far beyond the walls of its nuclear plants.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members