During the earliest period of industrialization in Britain, steam engines were more expensive to build and operate than either windmills or water mills, the other practicable sources of power for factories  Yet despite their significant cost disadvantages, steam-powered factories were built in large numbers well before technical improvements brought their cost down
Furthermore, they were built even in regions where geographical conditions permitted the construction of wind-and water-powered factories close to major markets
In many areas of Britain, there were fewer steam-powered factories than wind-or water-powered factories in the earliest period of industrialization.