Making a pitch for tidal power

Grant Warkentin
Campbell River Mirror
May 17 2006

A local power project could lead the way in turning Canada into a tidal energy powerhouse.

Ocean Renewable Energy Group envisions
building a tidal power generator in the strong currents
between Quadra and Maud islands.

Local businessman Thor Peterson and Ocean Renewable Energy Group (OREG) president Chris Knight spoke to council last week, describing their project to generate power from the tides between Quadra and Maud Islands.

"This is why we're here - we think it's really important for Campbell River to be involved," said Knight.

OREG is a group of private and government organizations interested in promoting tidal power production in Canada. Its information shows B.C. has the potential to produce 4,000 megawatts of energy from tidal power - four times the energy presently being produced in B.C. from all generating sources.

Peterson and Knight, working with Calgary-based New Energy Corporation and Focus Environmental, Inc., want to build a demonstration tidal power generation station at Canoe Pass, the gap between Quadra and Maud Islands. Last July, the Mirror reported their intentions to use the tidal forces of the Seymour Narrows to generate power, and their plans are still on track.

The project proposes to mount tidal generators in the water between the two islands. They would not impede access to Maud Island and would generate power from tides running in either direction.

"Results from a series of (computer) model runs has confirmed our expectations that the energy potential at the site is range of 5-7 megawatts," says a report describing the project.

That would be enough to eliminate the need for undersea power cables to Quadra Island.

The demonstration project will be capable of generating 500 kilowatts of power and will cost about $6.1 million. The Canoe Pass Tidal Energy Corporation wants to secure $4 million from government sources promoting green energy projects and the rest from private investors.

Peterson and Knight said the project is a unique opportunity for Campbell River and Canada to dominate the global market on tidal power. They said when Denmark was the first to develop wind power generators the country cornered the market. Now, most wind generators are built in Denmark and Canada could be in the same situation in developing tidal power generators, they said. Tidal power is also attractive as gas prices continue to rise.

"We can use the perpetual ocean power to reduce the exposure to fuel cost risks," Knight said.

Tidal power would also open opportunities for small, remote communities, he said, but local governments and the province need to help make it happen.

"B.C. needs to participate in a coordinated ocean energy effort," Knight said.

Council was enthusiastic about Peterson and Knight's presentation.

"Now that's what I call a vision," said Coun. Morgan Ostler.