French Lawmakers Propose Bitcoin Mining Using Surplus Nuclear Power

A group of French lawmakers is drafting a law to allow the use of surplus electricity from nuclear power plants for bitcoin mining. Key points include:

  • Mining hardware would be installed at facilities owned by state utility Électricité de France (EDF).
  • France is the largest producer of nuclear power in the EU, generating over half of the bloc's total output in 2023.
  • More than two-thirds of the energy produced from nuclear fission is currently lost.
  • The proposal follows a previously rejected amendment regarding crypto mining's impact on France’s energy mix.
  • Other countries, like Pakistan, are also utilizing surplus energy for bitcoin mining.
  • Tether is exploring BTC mining with surplus renewable energy in collaboration with Adecoagro in Brazil.