What determines whether an area is suitable for tidal power?

• A. The presence of strong winds
• B. High rainfall
• C. Large differences in high and low tides
• D. Proximity to equator

Answer: (C)

Tidal power depends on how much water actually moves through a turbine as the sea rises and falls. The bigger the difference between high tide and low tide, the more water is pushed in and out during each cycle, so more energy can be captured by the turbines. This is why sites with large tidal ranges—like a wide, funnel-shaped estuary or bay—are most favorable for tidal power.

Other factors listed don’t drive tidal energy potential. Strong winds relate to wind power, not tides. High rainfall affects freshwater and reservoir-based hydropower, not the amount of tidal energy available. Proximity to the equator doesn’t determine tidal strength; tides occur globally, though their exact ranges vary, and the key point for tidal power is the tidal range itself.