Mathilde Marchand: Energy transition strategies in French cities – From the establishment of new institutional structures to the emergence of distinct governance pathways

Both globally and nationally, there is a growing trend towards urban concentration that is challenging the existing institutional framework. In France, Act III of the decentralisation process, implemented through recent laws on territorial organisation, has brought about a profound restructuring of territorial powers, particularly to the benefit of metropolitan areas. These areas are increasingly taking charge of energy issues, with a view to using them as a means of enhancing their capabilities and controlling the implementation of energy strategies within their territories.

In this thesis, we will analyse the restructuring of the actors involved in local energy governance against the backdrop of the rise of the metropolitan phenomenon, comparing several French metropolitan areas through three analytical lenses: What energy strategies for metropolitan areas? What capacity do metropolitan areas have for internal governance in the energy sector? What form of governance is required for the metropolitan area in the face of the emergence of new actors and the challenge to the established players in energy systems?