When tidal farms are deployed at large scales, they will affect each other in ways that raise challenges for planning and policy. If we are to obtain the maximum possible energy yield for a given level of environmental impact - or the minimum impact for a given amount of power - then strategic planning will be necessary.
In this talk I will explain some of the physics of large-scale tidal energy for a non-specialist audience, explore some implications for policy and marine planning, and look at some possible management approaches.