[consensus1]

I see that France has the most nuclear heavy grid and also some of the cheapest energy costs and lowest CO2 emission per unit energy in the world. When I see that matched by a solar / wind focused grid I will believe the cheap renewables hype.

And even when I see that, the low energy density still has its own problems. The amount of resources needed for the panels and batteries is massive in itself. And the land area requirements are going to turn vast swathes of wild land into something like this: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSUY5dhiVF6/

[nickserv]

France has higher prices than several EU countries.

Spain in particular has low prices thanks to their solar and wind, and the Nordics thanks to hydro.

[pfdietz]

And the French cannot seem to replicate the putatively low price they paid for their first nuclear rollout.