Originally Posted by Idle

Back in the 70's and 80's China built a massive iron and steel mill. It was built next to a gas field so it would have all the power it needed. The gas field was the big deal and the real savings would come from not building a pipeline to the plant.

The thing was so large that it took 20 years to build. By then the gas field was depleted and they had to lay pipelines and bring in gas from other areas to run the place.