On a rising tide

The world's oceans contain an enormous potential source of energy. What is surprising is how little this potential is exploited. Now however researchers are beginning to make progress in pursuit of a renewable energy that has been elusive. So far two major sites that can sustain tidal power projects have been identified in India: the Gulf of Bombay and the Gulf of Kutch with a mean tidal range of five and seven metres respectively. They have a combined potential of 9700 MW. The environmental impacts of any tidal power scheme will depend mainly on local geography. Local tides changed only slightly as a result of the La Rance barrage, and the environmental impact has been negligible, but other sites could face more serious problems. (author)