Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) is advancing plans to expand submersible hydropower projects across the Great Lakes, aiming to tap rising electricity demand in major urban and industrial corridors. The company’s first urban deployment in the St. Lawrence River will include two hydroelectric devices, with the region estimated to hold 60–90 MW of potential capacity.
The expansion is driven by increasing power prices and growing energy needs linked to population growth and data infrastructure, boosting interest in reliable, localized clean energy sources. However, regulatory hurdles remain significant, as hydropower projects in the U.S. can take up to eight years to secure approvals, potentially slowing deployment timelines.