Why are tidal turbines built on estuaries?

Question

why are tidal turbines built on estuaries?

and what are the major companies/countries that uses tidal power?

Answer 1

the two main reasons are :

1. the infrastructure [requiring stable land above flood zones]

for voltage stabilization [plant only generates when tidal waters can be released] and distribution.

2. the partial damming of a neck or run [by using flood gates to let water in until high tide] would be cost ineffective in any other type of water area..

virginia electric and power company 35 or so years ago built a tidal plant in yorktown va. it was not very successful, as the dammed off run was too small and the turbines not particularly efficient [they wound up using cheaper power from the fairly close by surrey nuke plant to pump water into a holding area and then release the water through the turbines during peak load periods [when the tide happened to be at a favorable level. i don't know if it is even in use any more as the company was sold many years ago  and i no longer live in that area.the current name of the power co. is virginia power and is owned by a group of saudi investors [if memory serves?]

note as far back as i can remember  in referance to the  the enviroment. there was no negative impact from this plant as it was built next to a oil refinery that then belonged to amoco [it was a grimy aera]