A key goal of the energy transition is to ensure the availability of zero or low carbon energy. Achieving this goal necessitates costly technological advancements and a grid overhaul connecting generation and consumption. Beyond network upgrades, the transition shifts from centralized to decentralized systems with new interconnections and international collaboration needs, especially regarding more interconnection capacity. International investments are pivotal for implementing the energy transition. Yet, new energy production-consumption methods raise concerns about network balance and equitable investment distribution. Renewable energy developments expose social and spatial disparities often overlooked in public policy and law.

To address this shortcoming, our symposium tackles global energy infrastructure investment trends, particularly those serving a “climate common good”. It delves into an energy justice evaluation methodology to compare key energy shared infrastructures projects.

Convenors: Raphaël Heffron, Louis de Fontenelle, & Emmanuelle Santoire (UPPA-CNRS)

This symposium focuses on providing practical insights into these investments by tracing the financial flows and legal structures behind major energy projects. We will question the shift from public subsidies to contract-based renewable energy models and hybrid ventures, addressing investor risks and power imbalances, to better understand “who” is concretely driving the energy transition and which network geographies and power ventures are (re)produced.