Tidal Energy: High Power Potential Held Back by Cost and Inconsistency

Executive Briefing

• Generates only 0.05 lbs of CO2 per kWh, making tidal turbines far cleaner than fossil fuels
• Costs up to $280 per megawatt-hour to operate in the U.S., versus just $20 for wind turbines
• Produces strong, predictable power but only intermittently, requiring backup sources or costly battery storage
• Disrupts marine ecosystems through blade hazards, electromagnetic interference, and noise pollution affecting seals and whales
• Only a handful of nations, including Australia, Spain, and Norway, have optimal coastal conditions for deployment