Facts

The majority of the Earth’s surface is composed of moving water. All of it contains energy.

Ocean waves, tides, salinity, temperature differences and river currents can all be used to generate electricity.

Tidal energy is an abundant source of emission-free power.

Canada has an estimated tidal energy potential of 35,700 megawatts (MW). That’s enough clean power to displace over 113 million tonnes of CO2 – equal to removing over 24 million cars off the road.

As wind passes over the surface of the ocean, it creates waves.

Ocean waves contain enormous energy potential. Wave energy devices can generate energy from the surface motion of ocean waves or from pressure fluctuations below the surface.

River current technologies harness the flow of moving water to generate power. Like tidal energy, river current produces power as a function of the volume of the water and the speed of the current.

Wind turbines are already a well-known technology. The idea is simple: the kinetic energy in the wind turns blades around a rotor, creating electricity. But offshore wind is different.

Canada has vast marine renewable energy resources, world-renowned test facilities, and existing human and capital assets in the energy and marine sectors. Together, they represent an opportunity not only for national activity but export.

The global climate is warming. This warming is mostly the result of human activity; predominantly, the burning of fossil fuels. The impacts of climate change are already happening, including flooding, drought, and other extreme weather events. More will follow, including impacts on water resources around the world, which affects food supply, health, industry, transportation and ecosystem integrity.