Bitcoin and electrical surplus: France experiments with sustainable mining

France has recently put forward a proposta di legge on the possibility of using surplus electricity for sustainable mining di Bitcoin. Presented on July 11, 2025, this initiative aims to turn a recurring challenge for the electrical system into an opportunity, utilizing resources that would otherwise be wasted.

An innovative proposal for Bitcoin and renewable energy

The proposed law named “Autorisation expérimentale de l’utilisation des surplus électriques pour le minage de cryptoactifs” was submitted to the French National Assembly with the aim of promoting an innovative approach to energy use. The text suggests that excess electricity, especially from renewable sources like wind and solar, can be used temporarily and in a controlled manner to mine Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

The pillar of the proposal is based on the increasingly important issue of peak production management. Modern energy grids often experience an overproduction of energy during certain time slots or seasons, creating problems for both the grid and operators. Fortunately, mining – an activity that involves verifying and recording transactions on the blockchain – can be quickly suspended and resumed, thus offering a flexible solution that adapts to actual availability.

How the experimentation works: regulatory and technical details

According to the document presented, the authorization to use electric surpluses for Bitcoin mining would occur only on an experimental basis and for a limited period. The measure establishes the following key principles:

Duration of the trial: The period encompasses a limited window, with the aim of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the measure.

Rigorous controls: The selection of the plants involved will be subject to precise technical criteria, ensuring compatibility with clean energy production and the safety of the electrical grid.

Environmental impact under observation: Consumption, indirect emissions, and effects on local networks will be monitored to fully understand the dynamics of the initiative.

The key element remains the concept of operational flexibility: the mining machines will be activated only in the presence of surplus and stopped as soon as the energy is needed for other users. This logic eliminates the problems traditionally associated with the activity, such as the overload of energy infrastructures and the controversies related to consumption intensity.

Expected advantages: energy optimization and waste reduction

The heart of the proposal lies in the ability to connect two issues – energy overproduction and the responsible use of energy for Bitcoin mining. Every year, French power grids, like many in Europe, are forced to dissipate, interrupt, or underutilize a significant portion of green energy generated when demand is low. By using such energies for mining, several advantages would be achieved:

Reduction of energy waste: Energy that would have been lost is used to create concrete economic value.

Support for the integration of renewables: The typical fluctuations of solar and wind become less problematic, promoting the penetration of clean energy into the electrical system.

New income streams: Electric companies and small producers could derive additional resources from temporary Bitcoin mining, incentivizing investments in renewables.

Furthermore, with controlled and transparent procedures, it will be possible to measure the impacts on the environment and the stability of the network in a scientific way, providing valuable data even at an international level.

Bitcoin mining, sustainability and new opportunities for France

In parallel with the management of surpluses, the use of excess energy for Bitcoin mining also highlights sustainability. Often, mining is criticized due to its high consumption and associated emissions. However, the proposal states that only energy not requested by other consumers will be used, preferably from renewable sources.

As a result, the experimentation can change the perception of Bitcoin, from a controversial consumption source to a tool for network balancing. France, through the implementation of this model, could take a leading position in the adoption of policies replicable on a large scale, demonstrating that blockchain technologies and renewables can coexist in synergy.

Controls, transparency, and impact assessment

The law text provides clear mechanisms to ensure transparent experimentation. On one hand, it will be the responsibility of national authorities to carefully select the plants and monitor in real-time the amount of energy used and the economic benefits produced. On the other hand, periodic reports will be published with data on emissions, actual energy use, and effects on infrastructure.

Furthermore, the results will be accessible to the public and subject to parliamentary debate, allowing for a possible adjustment of the rules if any critical issues arise, in order to maximize the positive impacts for the benefit of the community.

Future prospects and potential developments for Bitcoin mining

The French experiment represents a pilot case that, if successful, could be adopted by other EU countries. The approach aims to leverage the flexibility of mining: similar solutions could emerge in contexts characterized by an abundance of renewable resources and low demand during off-peak hours.

The energy sector and the blockchain sector could, as a result, come closer, generating new supply chains and employment opportunities, in addition to creating value for producers and investors. However, the final evaluation will depend on the real effectiveness of the experimentation and the results that will emerge from the official reports.

This bill finally places France at the center of the European debate on energy and technofinance, contributing to redefining the role of Bitcoin mining at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and network security.

An opportunity to combine energy innovation and digitalization

The experiment promoted by the proposta di legge 1750 offers a new perspective on the relationship between energy and cryptoasset, promoting the sustainable use of already available resources. While the production of renewable energy is constantly growing, measures of this kind could accelerate the path towards greater efficiency, reducing waste and offering measurable economic and environmental benefits.

By closely observing this experimentation, investors, producers, and policy makers will be able to evaluate the sustainability of the initiative with concrete data. The potential to replicate the model beyond French borders is high, paving the way for an intelligent use of blockchain technologies as a tool for energy transition and responsible digitalization. It is a new era for European Bitcoin and for the synergy between energy and innovation.