Ocean energy captures the movement of tides and waves — an emerging renewable frontier along Canada's three coastlines, led by the Bay of Fundy.
Tidal systems place turbines in channels where enormous volumes of water flow predictably twice a day; wave systems convert the motion of swells into electricity. Unlike wind, tides can be forecast years in advance.
Tidal flow is precisely predictable — output can be scheduled like a timetable. Canada's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, especially Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy, hold some of the best tidal resources on the planet.
Ocean energy is still maturing; per-kWh costs remain above wind and solar while demonstration projects scale. Early Canadian investment positions coastal provinces to lead as the technology commercializes.
Demonstration and early commercial turbines are operating in the Minas Passage, with in-stream tidal developers steadily proving survivability in the world's toughest tidal environment.
The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides on Earth — 160 billion tonnes of seawater move in and out twice a day, more than all the world's rivers combined.
Output schedulable years in advance.
Three coastlines and the world's highest tides.
Marine engineering, fabrication and operations jobs for coastal towns.
