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See wave energy: in your community - public attitudes
Tidal energy offers an alternative to land-based resources, avoiding heavily populated onshore areas.
Employment opportunities would be substantial at the height of construction, with the creation of some permanent long-term employment from associated regional economic development.
Ocean renewable energies may become as acceptable as, or more popular than, wind energy due to their lower visual impact. See wave energy: in your community - visual and environmental impacts for more information.
Tidal energy and tidal stream energy do not result in the emission of gases responsible for global warming or acid rain.
Changing tidal flows by damming a bay or estuary could result in negative impacts on aquatic and shoreline ecosystems, as well as on shipping navigation and recreation. There are concerns that the increased mixing of water caused by tidal barrages has the potential to stimulate the growth of the ‘red tide’ organism Gonyalaux excavata, which causes paralysis in shellfish. Estuaries are of key importance to migratory species of fish, many of which are the foundation for commercial fisheries, and barrages could act as barriers to migration.
Experience at the La Rance barrage in France has shown only minor changes to local tides, and the environmental impact has been negligible. However, this may not be the case for all sites as each one usually has its own unique geographical features.
