France and Germany in the Energy Crisis: Past, Present, and Future

ABSTRACT:

This paper compares the past and current energy policies of France and Germany to examine which one is better equipped to weather the current energy crisis. I compare data concerning energy production and electricity production and analyse the public discourse and political attitudes in both countries. The result is that both countries have for historical reasons diverged significantly on energy policy, and this divergence is having a significant impact right now. Finally, I conclude that, despite the struggles of the country’s nuclear reactors, France is overall better situated to navigate the situation without major difficulties than Germany. France has better chances of keeping electricity prices down for its citizens and ensuring a steady supply of energy, both electricity and heating. Additionally, even though renewable electricity production is higher in Germany, France’s energy system is much more efficient in terms of combating global warming. I finish by arguing that the EU offers a framework for fixing many of the problems that are plaguing both countries’ separate issues.