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Contribution short abstract

In 2022, Russia cut gas to Europe has exposed France’s energy vulnerabilities. The government reaffirmed nuclear power’s role and “Energy sovereignty,” a notion which overlooks local solutions and extractivism’s social/environmental costs. How can anthropology can re-politicise this debate?

Contribution long abstract

In February 2022, Russia reduced or halted gas supplies to Europe, exposing vulnerabilities in energy security. France, though less affected due to its higher energy independence, still faced price volatility and uncertainties. The crisis also revealed issues with its ageing nuclear fleet, as nearly half of its reactors were offline for repairs. In response, France established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the loss of energy sovereignty and reaffirm nuclear power’s central role, echoing President Macron’s 2020 declaration that nuclear energy was key to France’s “economic and ecological” future. However, critics argue that simply replacing fossil fuels with nuclear or renewable energy without addressing demand fails to reduce overall electricity consumption.

The concept of “energy sovereignty” in France, rooted in Gaullist ideology, emphasizes independence in energy production and control over its distribution. Historically, this notion has been tied to colonial relationships and international authority, often overlooking the socio-technical systems that shape energy use. Energy policy is not just about governance but also about governmentality—the ways knowledge and power influence energy practices and infrastructure.

Energy infrastructures, while politically powerful, are often perceived as neutral, despite their role in shaping societies and cultures. The push for electrification and new technologies risks reinforcing dependence on critical minerals and perpetuating extractivism, with significant social and environmental costs often outsourced to marginalized communities.

The presentation aims to highlight how anthropology can re-politicise this debate through a better understanding of the underlying issues of “energy sovereignty” political, social, and economic contexts.