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Paper short abstract

This presentation analyses Norways pro-nuclear movement through an STS-lens, focusing on how nuclear power activates new questions about energy systems' political economy and underpinning societal imaginaries.

Paper long abstract

In recent years, nuclear power has surged in public debate in Norway, a country historically blessed with access to abundant hydropower resources. Unlike previous Norwegian engagements with nuclear technology, which were tied to Cold War geopolitics, anti-nuclear movements and largely abandoned, today’s revival is framed as a response to skyrocketing electricity prices driven by the European energy crisis, land conflicts over wind power, and the need for vast energy supplies to support industrial transformation away from oil and gas. Remarkably, this new discourse is largely detached from historical experiences with nuclear power elsewhere. Instead, it builds on optimistic visions of limitless CO₂-free energy and economic cost-benefit analyses, sidelining concerns about waste, safety, and governance. The Norwegian pro-nuclear movement now challenges democratic practices and energy policy goals, advocating for a radical shift in the country’s energy transition. Still, public discussions lack reflection on the new political economy that nuclear power could entail. Beyond being a technological solution, the nuclear revival rests on distinct imaginaries in which capital-rich and energy-hungry industries, such as data centres operated by multinational tech giants, gain significant influence over Norway’s energy system. Drawing on interviews with mayors from Norwegian municipalities actively exploring nuclear projects, parliament politicians and nuclear advocates, this presentation employs a critical STS perspective to analyse the visions underpinning the Norwegian nuclear movement and its longing for abundant energy. By doing so, it contributes to discussions on how nuclear energy’s “second life” is shaped by shifting political, economic, and ideological landscapes.