French legislators have put forward a proposal for a five-year experiment that would allow the use of surplus electricity for mining bitcoin. The proposal was submitted on July 11, targeting the utilization of excess energy to boost grid stability, monetize overproduction, and minimize the modulation cycles of nuclear power plants.
The lawmakers clearly stated in the bill, “By fostering a French mining sector that leverages a controlled and carbon-free electricity mix, France could position itself as a significant player in the cryptoasset ecosystem.”
According to the proposal, power producers often have to sell their overproduced energy at a loss due to storage limitations. This leads to an “untenable economic and energy waste”. Moreover, the existing regulations that mandate nuclear power plants to adjust their power outputs based on renewable energy production strain the power plant’s infrastructure.
If enacted, the bill would lead to the establishment of data centers near power production sites, potentially in unused factories or facilities. The lawmakers believe this approach would bring substantial benefits without jeopardizing the current energy supply.
The proposal further elaborates on the benefits of bitcoin mining, “In essence, bitcoin mining is an innovative application that can transform a problem (unused surplus) into an economic opportunity.”
As per the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN), dedicating a single gigawatt of power to mining could generate $100 to $150 million in annual revenue. The proposal also highlights another advantage of bitcoin mining – the production of heat, usually considered waste, which can be harnessed.
“Mining computers actually emit a significant amount of heat, which can be captured via heat exchangers to warm buildings, power agricultural greenhouses or drive industrial processes,” said the proposal.
The lawmakers also noted that such an energy-efficient approach is already being implemented in countries like Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, proving its technical feasibility.
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