The French National Assembly has suspended the assessment of the proposal on whether Bitcoin mining can absorb surplus nuclear power for procedural reasons. (Background: Is Bitcoin energy-intensive? Research shows that AI power consumption will surpass BTC mining by the end of 2025) (Additional background: Lottery mining strategy: Is the chance of winning in solo mining higher than that of a lottery?) The French National Assembly recently rejected a highly anticipated motion that aimed to evaluate the feasibility of 'Bitcoin mining' as a means to absorb domestic energy surplus. Although the conclusion was only suspended due to procedural issues, the event still illustrates the cautious attitude of French politicians towards the high-energy-consuming cryptocurrency industry. The core of the mining proposal is to study whether Bitcoin mining can become a 'flexible electricity user,' quickly activating during low electricity demand to consume surplus capacity from nuclear power plants. Proponents of the bill emphasized that about 70% of France's electricity comes from nuclear energy, which occasionally leads to excess production. If mining can help adjust the load in real-time, it would contribute to stabilizing the power grid and enhancing energy sovereignty. Supporters pointed out on CoinCentral that Bitcoin mining has a 'fast switch speed' and can adjust its operation based on actual grid conditions. Additionally, the establishment of the mining industry may bring jobs to local areas and push the advantages of AI. Procedural Rejection Ultimately, the French Parliament halted discussions for procedural reasons. According to Bitcoin.com, it is generally interpreted that 'although the form is small, the resistance is still great.' Analysts pointed out that French society's concerns about the high energy consumption and carbon emissions of mining have not dissipated. Environmental groups often view mining as a high-energy 'environmental disaster,' and these negative perceptions put any proposal to incorporate mining into national energy policy at a high political threshold. This highlights the dilemma in French energy policy: on one hand, flexible electricity usage is indeed needed during periods of nuclear power surplus; on the other hand, legalizing high-energy-consuming industries may conflict with the carbon reduction goals of many European countries. Although this vote did not touch on practical matters, it has opened up public discussion on how to balance environmental and regulatory concerns while pursuing energy efficiency. In the short term, it remains pessimistic for similar mining proposals in Europe to gain legislative support. However, with the increasing share of renewable energy, continuous nuclear power generation, and the widening gap between peak and off-peak electricity consumption, how to properly utilize surplus electricity, even pointing to Bitcoin mining and AI computing centers, will become a policy focus.

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