The estimates of global potential of tidal energy generation vary, but it is widely agreed that tidal stream energy capacity could exceed 120 GW globally.

• ● It has been estimated that tidal stream energy could theoretically supply more than 150 TW/h per annum, well in excess of all domestic electricity consumption in the UK. This represents a potential total global market size of up to 90 GW of generating capacity.
• ● The Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is the most promising location in Canada for tidal energy and could potentially produce as much as 30,000 MW of energy. Another implementation places with great potential are Johnstone Strait and Seymour Narrows in the province of British Columbia.
• ● The UK’s tidal power resource is estimated to be more than 10 GW, representing about 50 percent of Europe’s tidal energy capacity.
• ● 25 percent of Europe’s tidal energy potential resources come from Scotland.
• ● The Pentland Firth, widely considered to be one of the world’s best sites for tidal power, could provide half of Scotland’s electricity, according to study recently completed by Oxford University. “It is almost certainly the best site for tidal stream power in the world,” said Thomas Adcock, from Oxford University. The water flow is rapid there because the tide shifting from the Atlantic into the North Sea is forced through a narrow eight-mile channel.
• ● The Oxford University engineers calculated that underwater turbines strung across the entire width of the Firth could generate a maximum 1.9 GW of power, averaged across the fortnightly tidal cycle. That is equivalent to 16.5 TW/h of electricity a year, almost half Scotland’s entire annual electricity consumption in 2011. As Scotland already produces 14.6 TW/h a year of renewable energy, a fully exploited Pentland Firth would bring Scotland close to meeting its aim of 100% renewable electricity by 2020.
• ● China has abundant resources of tidal power with more than 18.000 kilometers of mainland coastline and more than 14.000 kilometers of island coastline, with an estimated tidal power capacity of 3.5 GW according to the China Ocean Energy Resources Division.
• ● Australia and New Zealand have large ocean energy resources but do not yet generate any power from them.
• ● Other territories with significant tidal power potential include North America, Argentina, Russia, France, India and South Korea.

Marine tides are a significant untapped resource for power generation that has several advantages advantages over the sun or wind power, because:

• ● High energy density – water is more than 800 times denser than air, making tidal energy more powerful than wind energy for a given area. 
• ● Marine tides are result of the gravitational pull from the sun and the moon, and because of that they are a regular, constant and predictable source of energy. In best locations tidal energy could power a turbine for between 18 and 22 hours a day, every day.
• ● Marine tides don’t depend on weather conditions. Calm or stormy conditions have no effect to tidal streams.
• ● Marine tides are not affected by seasons. Tidal power systems can be installed on the sea bottom and work even under the ice.
• ● Marine tides don’t depend on time of day. There are two flood and two ebb currents every day.
• ● Marine tidal power systems built with modern materials can have long average lifespan of 25-100 years and needs maintenance every 3-5 years. That keeps operating costs low.
• ● Marine tidal power generators or tidal power farms can be installed under water on seabed and have low or none of visual impact. They will not affect marine traffic. The land and areas near shore areas available for wind farms limits traffic and will become increasingly scarce. Solar farms also require a lot of land to be built.
• ● Marine tidal power systems produce no greenhouse gas emissions or pollution, low underwater noise, and because of that they are safe for Tidewind power systems are also safe for any form of marine life, including any size of fish or marine mammals because of the unique shape of unidirectional rotation rotor (UDRR).

Marine tidal stream power generation has several challenges.

• ● Commercial scale marine tidal power systems require high initial investment.
• ● Marine tidal power systems have environmental constraints. Tidal power plants can disrupt natural tidal flows, alter habitats, and impact marine life, including fish migration. Detailed environmental and user impact studies must be carried out.
• ● Marine tidal power systems must work reliably in highly corrosive sea saltwater environment.
• ● Suitable sites for tidal power plants are limited to areas with strong tidal ranges and suitable coastal conditions. 
• ● While tides are predictable, the timing of high and low tides can vary, potentially leading to intermittent energy production. 
• ● Marine tidal power systems have currently a high cost of removal and utilizations at the end of their lifecycle.

• ● The Welsh Government has invested £8 million (around $9,9 million) as an equity stake in the Morlais tidal energy project off the coast of Anglesey, set to be the largest tidal scheme in Europe, to support its expansion and strengthen grid connections. Operation set to begin in 2026.
• ● In February 2025 UK-based tidal energy company Proteus Marine Renewables (PMR) has installed a 1.1MW tidal power turbine in the Naru Strait, Japan, making it “the first to operate such devices in two countries”.
• ● In April 2025 tidal energy developer Normandie Hydroliennes’ NH1 tidal energy project has been awarded €31.3 million in funding from the European Union’s 2023 Innovation Fund. The project will install four Proteus Marine Renewables’ AR3000 horizontal-axis turbines in Normandy, delivering 34 GWh annually to the French grid by 2028, enough to power 15,000 homes.
• ● In December 2024 the MeyGen tidal energy project, developed by SIMEC Atlantis Energy, has achieved a full operational capacity of 6 MW with the deployment of its fourth turbine. Edinburgh-based sustainable energy projects company SAE, which stands behind the project, confirmed that all four turbines are fully operational, marking the first time the tidal stream site delivered maximum power. Since its initial deployment in 2016, the MeyGen project has undergone continuous upgrades to enhance system efficiency and reduce costs, according to SAE. 
• ● In March 2024 the SHINES project (Showcasing Hydrokinetic energy Innovations for Northwest European Energy Sovereignty) has launched, bringing together 14 partners from France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany to scale up tidal and river energy deployment. With €10 million in funding, 60% covered by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the project will run from January 2025 to December 2028 under the leadership of the OPEN-C Foundation. According to Inyanga Marine Energy Group, North-West Europe (NWE) has potential for tidal and river energy, with suitable locations including gulfs, straits, inlets, islands, and major rivers. 
• ● Porpoise Power, a tidal energy spin-out from the University of Oxford, has exited stealth with a £1.2 million (approximately $1.58M) pre-seed round led by Zero Carbon Capital (ZCC), alongside Creator Fund and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE). 

For tidal stream power generation system:

Yes, in Canada you will likely need permits to install a tidal power generating system, especially if it involves construction or modifications on public lands or waterways. Permits are required to protect the marine environment, ensure safety, and manage the use of public resources.

Tidal power projects, particularly those involving turbines or infrastructure in the water, are likely to be subject to environmental assessments under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) may require a Fisheries Act authorization if the project is likely to affect fish or their habitat, including species at risk.

If the project involves construction on Crown land (government-owned land), you will need appropriate permits and authorizations from the relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

You may also need permits related to electrical installations, construction, and other aspects of the project, depending on the specific design and location.

For more specific information about permits for tidal power projects in your area, you should:

1. Consult the relevant Canadian government agencies:
Contact the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and any other relevant agencies for your location.

2. Inquire about specific project requirements:
Discuss the details of your proposed tidal power project with the appropriate agencies to determine the specific permits and authorizations you will need.

3. Familiarize yourself with the latest guidelines and regulations:
The regulatory framework for tidal energy development may be evolving, so stay updated on any changes or new policies.

For wind power generation systems:

Yes, you will likely need permits to install a wind power generating system, even for small home turbines. These permits can include building permits, electrical permits, and potentially environmental permits, depending on the size and location of the system.

Small domestic wind turbines, such as those for residential use, may fall under "permitted development" and not require planning permission if they meet certain criteria, including height and distance from property boundaries.

In British Columbia, wind energy is regulated by the BC Utilities Commission and falls under the jurisdiction of the Clean Energy Act. Businesses and real estate developers may seek permits and approvals from government agencies to construct wind farms and sell the energy produced to BC Hydro or other utilities.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

1. Building and Zoning Permits:

• ● Most municipalities require building permits for the foundation and support structure of a wind turbine, especially if the rated output exceeds 3 kW.
• ● You may also need to comply with local zoning regulations regarding height, setbacks, and other site-specific requirements.

2. Electrical Permits and Grid Connection:

• ● Even if your system won't be connected to the grid, an electrical permit is usually required.
• ● If you plan to connect your system to the grid, you'll need to contact your local utility (like BC Hydro) and get their approval for interconnection.

3. Environmental Permits:

• ● Larger projects, particularly those on public lands or with potential environmental impacts, may require environmental assessment and permits from provincial or federal authorities.
• ● This might involve noise surveys, wildlife impact assessments, and other environmental reviews.

4. Other Considerations:

• ● Consult with your local municipal building department and electrical inspector to determine the specific permit requirements for your location.
• ● Consider hiring a professional installer who can help you navigate the permitting process and ensure compliance with codes and standards.
• ● Be aware that noise levels from wind turbines can be a concern for neighbors, so ensure your turbine meets local noise regulations.

Marine tidal and free-flow stream turbines designed by Tidewind Inc. are safe for the marine environment and any type of marine sea life (including any size of fish and sea mammals) because of its unique shape of unidirectional rotation rotor (UDRR) and slow rotation speed.

• ● Tidewind turbines have slow moving blades which pose low risk of collision with marine mammals, fish, and other marine wildlife, unlike to the impacts seen with other types of tidal power generators. Tidewind turbine blades simply push away anything that will try to collide with them.
• ● Tidewind turbines generate very low underwater noise because of low RPM rotation speed.
• ● Tidewind turbines generate very low electromagnetic field interference from power cables and moving parts of turbines.
• ● Tidewind turbines don’t make any changes to water flow and sediment patterns that can impact water quality, potentially affecting ecosystem processes.
• ● Tidewind turbines don’t cause any contamination of the waterbody because they don’t have any leaks or spills of anti-corrosion paints or anti-fouling coatings, lubricants, and other chemicals used in other hydropower generation systems.

UDRR-based turbines used in wind power generation systems also safe for safe for the natural environment and any type of wildlife, including any type and size of birds, because of its unique shape and relatively slow rotation speed.

• ● Tidewind turbines have slow moving blades which pose low risk of collision with birds and other types of wildlife, unlike to the impacts seen with other types of wind power generators. Tidewind turbine blades simply push away anything that will try to collide with them.
• ● Tidewind turbines generate very low noise because of low RPM rotation speed.
• ● Tidewind turbines generate very low electromagnetic field interference from power cables and moving parts of turbines.
• ● Tidewind turbines don’t cause any contamination of the environment because they don’t have any leaks or spills of chemicals, lubricants, and other chemicals used in other hydropower generation systems.

Absolutely. Our tidal stream power generation system can be installed on a floating platform, which could also host wind power generating system and array of solar panels to create a truly hybrid renewable energy power system that uses three different sources.