I live near a narrow channel that leads to a large bay and there is significant tidal current through this channel and there is a bridge over the channel and there is an experimental tidal power plant in the water near the bridge and it is under water and not seen even at low tide. There are underwater cables that bring the power to shore and they feed it into the existing grid. This is a tourist area and there are various small towns nearby.
Regarding the first answer and The Bay of Fundy on the link below is information about tidal power generation in that area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Fund...
The Bay of Fundy in Canada. The tidal surge is huge.
Where the energy is needed, it can be servived or maintained easily and where the power is needed.
Obviously not inland.
The plant would have to be in an area where the electricity is most easily accessible, and it would not interfere with tourism.
