In 1911 the Salt UnionThe Salt Union was an association of salt producers in the Cheshire area built a vacuum evaporating plant at Runcorn to produce salt from brine. Steam was generated to drive turbo-alternators. The exhaust steam from the turbines was used to evaporate brine. Only a portion of this energy was used in the salt works; the Salt Union obtained parliamentary authority to provide a public supply of electricity. This was through two Electric Lighting Orders: the Runcorn Electric Lighting Order 1910 and the Widnes Electric Lighting Order 1910, both these Orders were authorised by Parliament under the Electric Lighting Orders Confirmation (No.1) Act 1910 (10 Edw. 7 & 1 Geo. 5, c. lxxv). A new company, the Mersey Power Company Limited, was formed in 1911 to operate the public electricity supply. In 1918 the Company resolved to build a large generating station at Percival Lane, Runcorn (53°19'53"N 2°45'25"W) to meet the expanding demand for electricity. The company had local industrialists among its major shareholders and was able to promote and encourage the use of electricity by local industry.
