Nuclear power is largely analysed as a contested energy production technology with a focus on the factors for the success or failure of the development of nuclear programmes but little questioning of the usages associated with this energy production. By concentrating specifically on the question of usage, this article sheds light on an original timeline of the development of nuclear power in France in the 1970s. It highlights the existence of an intense debate on the means of using the energy that would be produced by this industry and on the models of technical, political, economic and spatial organisation of the energy system that would result. Based on an analytical work of several historical archival funds, this paper brings into light how three sociotechnical regimes were in competition to organize the French energy system during the development of the national nuclear programme. From an historical geography perspective, this paper provides insights for a critical rethinking of the development of nuclear programmes as well as for the politics surrounding the phase-out of nuclear power.

核电在很大程度上被分析为一种有争议的能源生产技术，重点关注核计划发展成功或失败的因素，但很少质疑与这种能源生产相关的用途。通过特别关注使用问题，本文揭示了 1970 年代法国核电发展的原始时间表。它强调了关于该行业将生产的能源的使用方式以及由此产生的能源系统的技术、政治、经济和空间组织模型的激烈辩论的存在。基于对几个历史档案基金的分析工作，本文揭示了三个社会技术体制如何在国家核计划的发展过程中竞争组织法国能源系统。从历史地理学的角度，本文为批判性地重新思考核计划的发展以及围绕逐步淘汰核电的政治提供了见解。