Proposed and Current Tidal Power Locations

Dynamic tidal power (DTP) is the only technology that can almost universally be applied anywhere there is ocean water, but the technology is unproven. Other systems, like tidal barrage, tidal lagoon, and tidal stream generators are not so universal as they rely on either tides that reach an adequate height to generate enough pressure to spin a turbine or on tides that move swiftly enough to spin a propeller of some sort. The result of this situation is that, until DTP is fully tested and vetted, the choice of location for tidal power is limited.

Asia

• China
• Hangzhou
• India
• Gujarat
• South Korea
• Sihwa Lake
• Jindo Uldolmok

Europe

• Wales
• Severn Estuary
• France
• La Rance
• Northern Ireland
• Strangford Lough
• Scotland
• Islay

North America

• Canada
• New Brunswick
• Annapolis, Nova Scotia
• Race Rocks, Vancouver Island
• United States
• Maine
• New York
• Oregon
• Florida

Choosing a Location

Like any type of renewable energy, choosing where to build a tidal power facility is based on environmental conditions. Just like you wouldn’t have the best outcome from solar panels built in cloudy Michigan, building tidal schemes in places with low tidal rises doesn’t make much sense. Fortunately, the oceans are quite large and there are number of potential tidal hotspots throughout the world. The table below outlines the locations and their power generation potential.