Annapolis Tidal Power Plant

In 1980 Nova Scotia Power started construction on the power plant on Hogg Island at the mouth of the Annapolis River by Annapolis Royal. At the time Nova Scotia Power was owned by the government so it was a government project.

After the Annapolis bridge fell in June of 1960 a causeway was built across the Annapolis River over

                  The Large Hole For
    The Annapolis Tidal Power Plant, 1981

Hogg Island. As this was where the tidal plant was going they needed to first temperately reroute the road and then they started digging a large hole. During the summer and winter of 1981 the concrete was poured and in the spring of 1982 the large turbines arrived from Montreal and Toronto. Then four years after the start of construction the large hole was filled in. The main power house and turbines were built underground and the observation and information center above ground.

The Annapolis Tidal project was the first and only modern tidal generating plant in North America. The Annapolis tidal power station is one of three tidal power plants in the world. The largest one is located in France on the estuary of La Rance, near St. Malo. It has a generating capacity of 240 MW on the incoming and outgoing tide. The smallest plant is located in Russia on the White Sea, with a capacity of 0.5 MW.

The Annapolis River, where the

The Large Turbines Arrive for the      
Annapolis Tidal Power Plant      

Annapolis Plant is located, is an estuary off the Bay of Fundy which has the highest and strongest tides in the world. Tides on the Bay of Fundy, in the Minas Basin average 12 metres but can reach up to 16 metres in height. With regularity with the tides the Annapolis station feeds the grid every 12 hours and 25 minutes. Over the 12 hour period the Annapolis station comes on for five hours, and then it is off for seven. It generates about 30 gigawatt hours each year which is enough to power over 4,000 homes.

Because of the success of this smaller project many companies are in the works of plans to harness the Bay of Fundy tides at the Minas Basin and the Cumberland Basin areas. Each and every day of the year there is 100 billion tons of seawater flowing in and out of the Bay of Fundy. This is more than the combined flow of the world's freshwater rivers. This makes the Bay of Fundy perhaps the most potential site for tidal generation. Predictions point to the harnessing of the Bay of Fundy has the potential to generate 300 megawatts of green, emission free energy, enough to power close to 100,000 homes.

Right now they are leaning toward a new in-stream tidal technology vs. the barrier type in the Annapolis plant. This technology is brand new and it will take time to test and refine these devices to be appropriate for the Bay of Fundy.

Today there are three companies racing for the opportunity to harness the Bay of Fundy tides - an Irish company, OpenHydro, B.C.’s Clean Current and Britain’s Marine Current Turbines. On November 12, 2009 the first of these companies test turbines was put into place in the Minas Passage. This is a narrow area between Parrsboro and Cape Split, NS about 100 kilometers north of Halifax.

Many environmental studies are essential for the tidal power plants as tidal barriers have impacts on fish populations and will cause silting at the head of a river. The barrier slows down the force and speed of the tide allowing it to drop sediment onto the ocean floor which builds up over time.

The Annapolis Tidal Project has had an effect on the banks of the Annapolis River on both the upstream and downstream sides. They have noticed the erosion is happening much faster than before the plant was installed. This is also a great concern to be considered.

It has affected the marine life also acting as a trap. In August of 2004 a mature humpback whale (nicknamed Sluice) swam through the open sluice gate and ended up trapped for several days in the basin. Also in the spring of 2007 the body of an immature humpback whale was discovered near the head of the tide near Bridgetown.

These are the reasons research has switched to the in-stream tidal technology, but not enough is known yet about this technology either. Environmentalist are still concerned for the marine life and how it will be affected. The fishermen and the fishing industry are concerned for their livelihood, especially if the fish habitat is affected. Even the shipping industry has some concerns as this may affect shipping lanes up and down the bay. All this plus much more has to be extensively studied before permanent turbines are lowered down and turned on.

The East Side of the Annapolis Tidal Power Plant

Also located in the Annapolis Tidal Power Plant building is the Annapolis Visitor Information Center. Information on all of the areas' attractions is available seven days a week here. Pleasant and knowledgeable staff are on hand to assist you with any information you would like.

Upstairs in this building many displays and interpretive signs are set up explaining the Annapolis Tidal Power Plant. They cover everything from the building of the plant to how it works.

They also have some very interesting information on other interesting sights around this area on this floor.

If you are interested in going down to the actual working plant located under ground then it is possible! The Visitor Information Centre staff conducts unique “Down Under” tours of the tidal power Plant during weekdays when possible. Interested travelers are taken by elevator below ground to the upper machine room, directly above the turbine. This gives you a first hand look at how this power plant works and a guide to explain it all out to you.

As there are only certain times these tours can take place you are urged to call ahead to set up a time. Just call (902) 532 5454 for a schedule.

Leave the Annapolis Tidal Power Plant and return to see other Annapolis Valley Museums