Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Tidal Country Notes

Canada
Embayments at the head of the Bay of Fundy between the maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have some of the largest tidal ranges in the world. The most promising prospects for tidal power have centred on two sites in this region: the Cumberland Basin (an arm of Chignecto Bay) and the Minas Basin (both at the head of the Bay of Fundy). However, the only commissioned tidal power plant is located at Annapolis Royal, further down the Bay in Nova Scotia. The 20 MW plant came into operation in 1984: the barrage was primarily built to demonstrate a large-diameter rim-generator turbine. Annapolis uses the largest Straflo turbine in the world to produce more than 30 million kWh per year.

In view of the large tidal energy resource of the two basins, estimated to be 17 TWh per year, different options for energy storage and integration with the river hydro system have been explored. Following an application for funding in late-2006, Nova Scotia Power announced in January 2007 that the company planned to establish a tidal stream demonstration project in the Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy. OpenHydro of Ireland has been selected to provide the tidal turbine which once deployed, will be the world's largest in-stream tidal generating unit integrated into an electricity grid. Nova Scotia Power plans to develop large tidal farms in the Bay following a successful installation of the demonstration plant.