But those items actually add something to a base.Why would there be need for electric inserters when burner inserters work fine , why would there need electric mining drills when burner mining drills can do the job ? why assembling machines MK2 and 3 when MK1 can assemble things just fine ? Well maybe because it's fun to get a sense of progression, and because after some time, laying down bazillions of solar panels is not as fun as setting-up a new system that does :
- The MK2 makes new items, and the Mk3 is needed for only the best crafting.
- Electric inserters and drills replace coal belts, simplifying base design
The only thing this higher tier of energy does is shrink your base, and players aren't really strapped for real estate in Factorio. Does it create new things? Can players use the nuclear byproducts for crafting new items like better cannon shells and bullets maybe? High tier energy might be more useful on the space layer, where hull capacity at a premium.