For example:
If we know what BSFC (Brake-Specific Fuel Consumption) is for a particular engine, then we can measure exactly how much power it can make for any amount of fuel (all things being equal – I'm not talking about how BSFC changes with engine dynamics).
The fuel is our potential energy (along with oxygen in the air). It contains the potential chemical reaction that can transfer energy from one place to another to apply a force.
If we know what the potential energy is, then we can know what the potential force is. Again, time does not enter into the equation.
Does that now make sense?