France’s Shocking €80 Million Energy Blunder: Bitcoin to the Rescue! 💰⚡

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Ah, France! The land of baguettes, berets, and a rather peculiar problem: they’re generating more electricity than they know what to do with. According to energy researcher Raphaël Bloch, the country wasted a staggering €80 million worth of power in 2024. Yes, you read that right—€80 million! That’s enough to buy a lot of croissants! 🥐

But fear not! A group of lawmakers has decided to take matters into their own hands. They’ve filed Amendment No. 547 with the National Assembly, proposing to fold Bitcoin mining into the national energy plan. Because, why not? If you can’t sell it, might as well mine it! 💻

Flexible Mining To Soak Up Excess Energy

Reports suggest that Bitcoin rigs can start and stop faster than you can say “sacré bleu!” This makes them perfect for soaking up those sudden surges of power that would otherwise just disappear into the ether. With over 70% of its electricity coming from nuclear plants, France has a bit of a dilemma. Those reactors aren’t exactly designed to slow down on a dime when demand dips. Enter the mining farms, ready to jump in, fire up their computers, and gobble up the surplus like it’s a buffet! 🍽️

Reviving Old Factories As New Hubs

Lawmakers are eyeing old industrial sites that have seen better days—think of them as the retirement homes for factories. These locations already have the necessary hookups and space, so why not turn them into Bitcoin mining centers? It’s like giving a second life to a vintage wine bottle, but with computers instead! 🍷

Bringing in miners could spark new jobs in areas that have faced decline. Plus, the heat from those machines wouldn’t go to waste; it could warm homes or even feed local factories, slashing energy bills for nearby communities. Talk about a win-win! 🏡

France lost €80M in 2024 due to… excess electricity.

It’s such a missed opportunity for Bitcoin mining.

The French grid operator is already warning about potential challenges in 2025.

This situation presents a compelling case for Bitcoin mining in France, for several key…

— Raphaël Bloch (@Raph_Bloch) April 17, 2025

Balancing Climate Goals With Carbon Costs

Now, before we all start throwing confetti, critics are waving their hands in the air like they just don’t care. Mining still uses a lot of power, and while France’s grid is mostly low-carbon, it’s not exactly zero-carbon. Too many rigs might force authorities to keep those aging reactors online longer or fire up backup gas plants during peak use. Yikes! 🌍

That would chip away at the climate targets the amendment is meant to support. Parliament will have to set clear limits on mining capacity and tie operations to real power surpluses only. Because, let’s face it, nobody wants to be the villain in this energy saga! ⚖️

A Global Shift In How Countries See Mining

And guess what? France isn’t alone in this quirky energy adventure. Belarus is studying the use of Bitcoin farms to absorb extra energy, while Pakistan has set aside 2,000 megawatts for Bitcoin and AI data centers. Even Texas, with its wind-heavy grid, is hailing mining as a way to smooth out those wild swings in power supply. Who knew Bitcoin could be the superhero we didn’t know we needed? 🦸‍♂️

Daniel Batten, a researcher in the field, claims this kind of controllable demand could be exactly what grids around the world need to handle those green but unpredictable sources like wind and solar. So, let’s raise a glass to Bitcoin mining—saving the planet one block at a time! 🥂

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2025-06-18 05:20