Marine Renewables Canada Applauds $10 Million Federal Investment to Advance Tidal Energy Monitoring in the Bay of Fundy

Wolfville, Nova Scotia, September 19, 2025 – Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) welcomes a major milestone for Canada’s tidal energy sector with today’s announcement of $10 million in federal funding for projects focused on advancing tidal energy.

The investment, announced by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), will accelerate innovation in environmental monitoring with two projects:

  • The Ocean Sensors Innovation Platform (OSIP) led by the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE)
  • The “Reducing Fish-Turbine Collision Risk Uncertainty in the Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy” project led by Acadia University

The outcomes of these projects will provide the evidence needed to advance safe, responsible tidal energy development in the Bay of Fundy – home to the world’s highest tides.

“Today’s announcement signals a strong commitment to advancing tidal energy solutions,” said Elisa Obermann, Executive Director of Marine Renewables Canada. “For years, our industry has called for stronger collaboration, better science, and tools that reduce uncertainty around tidal energy’s effects on marine life. This investment answers that call. The Ocean Sensor Innovation Platform will give communities, regulators, and developers the trusted data they need to move projects forward confidently, while protecting one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.” 

Built on a partnership between NRCan, FORCE, Acadia University, The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Innovasea, Orbital Marine Power, reconcept, Nova Innovation, Huntley’s Diving and Marine, Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), and The University of the Highlands and Islands – Environmental Research Institute, OSIP will deploy a world-first autonomous floating platform for sea-surface tidal monitoring alongside submersible systems on the seafloor to capture essential data on fish-turbine interactions. 

Acadia University’s project will study fish detection and movement to assess interactions with tidal energy devices, while also training scientists and trainees to support Canada’s growing marine renewable energy sector.

“These projects go beyond technology – they create the partnerships and innovation needed to move tidal energy forward,” said Jonathan Robinson, Senior Policy Advisor at Marine Renewables Canada. “OSIP will blend Mi’kmaw ecological knowledge and the principle of Two-Eyed seeing with advanced monitoring technologies, ensuring that we can harness clean power from the world’s strongest tides while protecting marine life.” 

The announcement reflects the progress made through the Task Force on Sustainable Tidal Energy Development, co-chaired by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and NRCan, which was created to address regulatory challenges and pave a viable path forward for tidal energy. MRC advocated for this work and participated in the Task Force as an active member. 

 More Information 

 Quick Facts 

  • Tides are created by the gravitational pull of the sun, moon and the rotation of the earth. Unlike other renewables, tidal energy provides four consistent generation cycles per day that can be predicted hundreds of years in advance.  
  • The Minas Passage area of the Bay of Fundy is home to an estimated 7,000 megawatts of energy potential, roughly equal to the power needs of 2 million homes – or all of Atlantic Canada.  
  • Overall, 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. 

 About Marine Renewables Canada 

Marine Renewables Canada is the national association for tidal, offshore wind, wave and river current energy, representing technology and project developers, suppliers, utilities, Indigenous organizations, researchers, and communities. We strive to champion Canada’s growing marine renewable energy sector through advocacy, engagement, and education and expand market opportunities across the country and globally. Learn more at www.marinerenewables.ca. 

  

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For media inquiries, please contact: 

Chelsi Bennett 

Marine Renewables Canada 

chelsi@marinerenewables.ca