Hydroelectricity took a century and a half of industrial development (1712: first steam engine 1880s: first hydroelectric plant) to become practical, and even then it couldn't power railways or ocean freighters. The history of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century pretty much follows the geography of where the coal and iron deposits were.
I don't disagree with that, but it's like OS lock-in once you start developing steam power that's where you focus most of your efforts. For the most part England was developing steam power not importing it, so while the US with massive coal reserves may have been interested in developing coal power presumably England would have focused it's R&D on other things.
The development of the stationary steam engine was an important element of the Industrial Revolution; however, for most of the period of the Industrial Revolution, the majority of industrial power was supplied by water and wind. In Britain by 1800 an estimated 10,000 horsepower was being supplied by steam. By 1815 steam power had grown to 210,000 hp.[38] Note: The industrial revolution started in 1760 and ended between 1820 and 1840. So, in my hypothetical situation England may have imported coal for shipping and railways but industry would have probably looked at imported coal as to expensive and used alternatives. Edit: Another possible exception iron / steel production.
PS: There where steam engines before the industrial revolution, but they gained prominence because of design improvements and as a drop in replacement for other power sources.
