France’s far-right proposes using surplus nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining, marking a shift in national energy and crypto strategy.
France is witnessing a surprising turn in its political and energy strategy as the far-right political party Rassemblement National supports the use of surplus nuclear energy to mine Bitcoin. Recent media reports say the party is drafting a law to use unused nuclear power plants for cryptocurrency production.
Le Pen Backs National Bitcoin Mining with Nuclear Power
The concept arises during a time when there is a debate going on with regard to energy efficiency and digital innovation in France. The lawmakers in the party have proposed that rather than waste unused electricity, it should be directed towards the running of high-performance computing systems that sustain the Bitcoin network. The computers would be set up at the nuclear plants, which are run by the electricity company that the state controls, and they will mine Bitcoin as a reward for their computing.
The change of attitude towards cryptocurrencies in France has been significant in the past few years, since they have only been a part of the political debate in the country. In 2016, the leader of Rassemblement National, Marine Le Pen, demanded an outright prohibition of digital currencies. She cautioned that Bitcoin and other technologies meant that the elite financiers were using them as instruments and threatened economic sovereignty. But she changed her position with time. By 2022, she was in favor of controlled usage of crypto assets. She had taken it a notch higher in 2025 when she advocated Bitcoin mining as a national opportunity.
Le Pen said she was confident in the proposal when she visited the Flamanville nuclear plant earlier this year. She also pointed to the stability of nuclear power and the fact that it could be employed to facilitate a safe and lucrative digital economy. The bill-drafting lawmaker Auriel Lopez-Liguori further explained that the proposal is anchored on practical reasoning. He explained that some environmental groups want to reduce energy use. However, the proposal focuses on using clean energy that is usually wasted. This way, they aim to make better use of available resources.
Related Reading: France Eyes Bitcoin Mining to Use Surplus Nuclear Energy
Bitcoin Mining Pilot Could Redefine France’s Energy Policy
The draft law includes a five-year pilot program. If approved, it would initiate Bitcoin mining in some of its nuclear sites to determine its efficiency and economic worth. The bill has not been presented to the National Assembly yet, but it is going to be submitted soon. Advocates believe the plan will diversify energy use in France. Moreover, it could help create digital assets for the country’s economic strategy.
Such a change of direction is also representative of trends in Europe in general. The European Union has already introduced new crypto rules. These rules come from the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation. They create the same standards for all member countries. As a result, they help protect consumers and improve financial transparency. This move also makes crypto use safer and more reliable across Europe. The possible transition of France into state-connected bitcoin mining would probably draw the attention of other countries, particularly those sharing the energy surplus.
The plan has caused interest and skepticism, but it highlights the increasing significance of cryptocurrency in the national economic planning. Many governments once doubted Bitcoin. Now, they see it as a useful tool in energy and financial planning. Rassemblement National supports using nuclear power to mine Bitcoin. This move could start a new era of digital innovation in government policy. As energy and technology grow together, their connection will matter even more.
