Nova Scotia Ideal for Tidal Power

A new international study has identified Nova Scotia as the best location to develop tidal power in North America.

The study, conducted by California-based Electric Power Research Institute, identifies eight potential tidal power projects sites on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy and the Bras d'Or Lakes. The maximum power generated from the sites using tidal flow generators could exceed 300 megawatts of power.

"This is encouraging news, but we'll need to get a better understanding of how this emerging technology works in our coastal environment before permitting any commercial tidal projects to proceed," said Energy Minister Bill Dooks. "This means that we will need to work with a broad range of stakeholders, including interested project developers, tidal power technology developers, other levels of government, communities, and Nova Scotia Power before developing the renewable resource with this technology."

Two sites are expected to have the most potential and include the Minas Passage at 166 megawatts, and the Minas Channel with 131 megawatts. The other sites identified in the report include Cumberland Basin, Cobequid Bay, Digby Gut, Petit Passage, Grand Passage, and Great Bras d'Or Channel.

Nova Scotia partnered with six North American jurisdictions in the $425,000 U.S. study. The Department of Energy contributed $60,000 U.S. Other jurisdictions involved in the study included Maine, Massachusetts, Washington State, Alaska, San Francisco, and New Brunswick. Nova Scotia Power also provided in-kind support to the study.

"Nova Scotia Power is pleased to work with the provincial government in supporting this important research. It holds significant promise and may pay benefits for Nova Scotians," said Ralph Tedesco, president of Nova Scotia Power.

The study is available on the website at www.epri.com/oceanenergy/streamenergy.html .