Canada approved the first three tidal power stations in a six-machine plan for the Bay of Fundy, and each one is designed to arrive like a towable boat before being anchored in some of the most powerful tides on Earth and put to work making electricity

Canada approved the first 3 tidal power plants under a 6-plant program for the Bay of Fundy.

The turbines are designed to arrive by sea. Once they arrive, they can be towed to their locations, moored in place via a seabed anchor system and connected to the grid.

If this works, one of the world’s greatest tidal environments could become a much larger source of clean electricity for Nova Scotia.

Orbital Marine Power (Scottish) and Eauclaire Tidal (Canadian) will partner to make commercial use of the large tidal resource available in the Bay of Fundy. This will allow them to convert that resource into a reliable source of clean energy.

Orbital has already deployed similar tidal technologies.

Floating turbines arrive under tow

Scotland already has an operational version of this technology. In Orkney, Scotland, Orbital is already operating its O2 turbine.

The floating unit measures 74 meters and generates 2 MWs of electricity. Orbital states that this is enough to power approximately 1,700 homes.

The company also estimates that it offsets approximately 2,000 tons of CO2 annually.

Orbital now seeks to apply the larger O2-X version of the technology to Nova Scotia. Unlike other offshore energy platforms, this unit floats to facilitate towing into position rather than constructing the entire structure offshore.

The O2-X is scheduled to be deployed at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy, or FORCE.

The location is within the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy. There is a large amount of tidal flow through the passage each day.

A single berth became three

The major milestone was not the turbine itself. Nova Scotia’s approval process changed the scale of the project.

Eauclaire and Orbital Marine Power were chosen as sole licensees for the new tidal-energy licenses issued through Nova Scotia’s 2025 procurement process. Additionally, Eauclaire and Orbital received two 15-year power-purchase agreements with the new tidal-energy licenses.

The company previously occupied one berth at Fundy Force; however, the two newly acquired berths significantly expand the project.

Together, these approvals enable the joint venture to proceed with 16.5 MW of generating capacity. These approvals also enable plans for six Orbital O2-X units at FORCE.

Eauclaire and Orbital have collaborated on tidal-energy ventures in Nova Scotia since 2023.

Supporters believe the approval represents a strong endorsement of tidal energy and demonstrates that commercial-scale tidal deployment is getting closer. The Government of Nova Scotia also highlighted the significance of the latest approvals.

Tidal power follows a schedule

Although the turbines have not begun operating in Nova Scotia, the issuance of licenses, contracts and berth assignments creates a pathway for future deployment. What occurs in the coming months and years will likely be more significant than the approval process itself.

The companies have the opportunity to develop 6 turbines in one of the most dynamic marine environments in the world.

Jane Lowrie stated that Eauclaire aims to provide emission-free electricity while creating sustainable employment in Nova Scotia. A number of supporters see the initiative as an opportunity to grow Nova Scotia’s tidal-energy sector.

Utilities know exactly when this electricity will arrive

One reason tidal power continues to be viewed favorably is that it is highly predictable. Developers know when the tides will move and when electricity can be generated.

Unlike wind and solar power, tides operate on a regular cycle. This predictability has maintained interest in the field for many years.

Industry leaders, regulatory bodies and research entities will monitor developments as deployment moves forward. There are still unanswered questions regarding tidal power’s ability to scale.

However, this represents Orbital’s largest project outside the UK. The approval provides another step toward developing a commercial tidal-energy industry in Nova Scotia based on one of its most prominent natural resources.