Annapolis Royal Generating Station

Annapolis Royal Generating Station

The Annapolis Royal Generating Station viewed at high tide.
Annapolis Royal Generating Station, Nova Scotia
Country Canada
Location Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Coordinates 44°45′7″N 65°30′40″W / 44.75194°N 65.51111°W / 44.75194; -65.51111Coordinates: 44°45′7″N 65°30′40″W / 44.75194°N 65.51111°W / 44.75194; -65.51111
Status Operational
Commission date 1984
Owner(s) Nova Scotia Power
Thermal power station
Primary fuel Tidal
Power generation
Nameplate capacity 20 MW
Annual generation 50 GWh

The Annapolis Royal Generating Station is a 20 MW tidal power station located on the Annapolis River immediately upstream from the town of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada.[1] It is the only tidal generating station in North America.[2] The generating station harnesses the tidal difference created by the large tides in the Annapolis Basin, a sub-basin of the Bay of Fundy. Opened in 1984, the Annapolis Royal Generating Station was constructed by Nova Scotia Power Corporation, which was, at the time, a provincial government Crown corporation that was frequently used to socially benefit various areas in the province.

History

Tidal harnesses to generate electricity had been under discussion for the Bay of Fundy and its various sub-basins for several decades. The decision to build the facility was partly prompted by the promise of federal funding for this alternative energy project, as well as the provincial requirement of the Department of Transportation to replace an aging steel truss bridge over the river between Annapolis Royal and Granville Ferry. The resulting rock-filled dam carries Trunk 1 across the river, as well as housing the power house and sluice gates.

Charles, Prince of Wales was scheduled to visit the facility via helicopter on 15 June 1983. He was in Halifax during a royal visit to Canada with Diana, Princess of Wales. The inspection was scrapped due to bad weather.[3]

Harm to the environment

The project has had mixed results. While effectively generating electricity, the blocking of water flow by the dam (to allow the tidal difference to accumulate every six hours) has resulted in increased river bank erosion on both the upstream and downstream ends. The dam is also known as a trap for marine life. Two notable cases occurred in:

See also

References

External links

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