Tidal Power Gathering Momentum  

The Barents Observer reports that a large tidal power plant will be built in Russia, not far from the Shtokman gas project.

A 800 megawatt tidal power plant will be built in the Dolgaya Bay in the Kola Peninsula. According to regional media, the new power generator will supply the necessary energy to the whole northern part of the peninsula. The project will be the first of its kind. It is based on the experiences from a test tidal power generator in the nearby Kislaya Bay.

According to Murman.ru, the testing of the technology has been as success, and engineers are now planning of a number of new plants for sites in the northernmost parts of the country. The new plant is located just few kilometres from Teriberka, the site chosen by Gazprom as the hub for the Shtokman project. Also a windmill part is under planning in the Teriberka-area.

New Brunswick's Irving Oil is teaming up with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre to look at 11 potential generating sites. There's plenty of room in the pool at the Bay of Fundy, and another energy company has decided to take a dip in the high tides. Saint John, New Brunswick-based Irving Oil has teamed up with the non-profit Huntsman Marine Science Centre to conduct a two-year research program on 11 potential power generating sites off the north shore of the bay.

New Brunswick's Department of Natural Resources approved the venture after putting out a request for proposals in January for research in support of in-stream tidal power generation. The Bay of Fundy, which sits between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick to the north and Nova Scotia to the south, is the site of the highest tides in the world.

AN ENERGY farm harnessing the power of strong tidal currents at the entrance to the Kaipara Harbour in Northland looks likely to be the first new marine energy kid on the block by winning the government's initial funding package for a new field of renewables. But the $1.85 million to help Crest Energy deploy three turbines in the main harbour channel immediately off the north head pales into insignificance against the $600m the company expects will be needed over the next decade.

Crest Energy director Anthony Hopkins said the grant from the Marine Energy Deployment Fund was a great fillip for the company, and would help kick-start the first phase. ... Ultimately, Crest wants to put in place 200 turbines on the harbour floor, where the tide flows at 9km/h at its peak, to generate 200MW of power. The first turbines could be in place by 2010, providing power to the remote population on the Pouto peninsula.

But it could be another five years at least before the tidal energy project, which will have the capacity to supply all of Northland's power and more, is contributing significantly to the national grid. However, even that prospect provides some small cheer for industrial and residential electricity consumers as they face the third winter this decade when the lakes are empty, the wind isn't blowing, and power shortages loom.