Canada’s First Offshore Wind Energy Areas Designated

Canada’s first 4 offshore wind power areas have been designated on Nova Scotia’s offshore.

The Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada collectively designated the areas – French Bank, Middle Bank and Sable Island Bank off mainland Nova Scotia and Sydney Bight off Cape Breton – right now, July 29. It is a key step to develop the offshore wind trade that can present long-term power safety and generational financial advantages for Nova Scotians.

“With some of the top wind speeds in the world, Nova Scotia has the potential to become a clean energy superpower,” stated Premier Tim Houston. “With the right infrastructure, we’ll have the opportunity to send our wind west to power other parts of Canada. By becoming an energy exporter, we can secure long-term prosperity for Nova Scotians.”

The designation comes after the general public was requested for suggestions on 5 proposed areas within the spring. The enter contributed to the choices to designate 4 areas and make the French Bank and Sydney Bight areas barely smaller.

The subsequent step in creating offshore wind power is figuring out the parcels inside the designated areas that can be included within the first name for bids later this yr. The intention is to license 5 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030. This will set the stage for future offshore wind improvement and place Nova Scotia to change into an exporter of unpolluted power.

After the primary spherical of licences are awarded, 4 different areas recognized within the January 2025 regional evaluation of offshore wind improvement can be revisited. They embrace Western/Emerald Bank, which was the opposite space shortlisted within the spring.

---

Quotes:

“The identification of wind energy areas off the coast of Nova Scotia is a significant step forward towards unlocking our renewable energy potential. We are moving quickly to deliver on our commitment to advance offshore wind, create clean jobs and support our long-term energy security.”
— Tim Hodgson, federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“We’re moving forward to seize the full potential of our offshore energy resources for the benefit of Nova Scotians. As this industry continues to build, it’s creating good-paying jobs, bringing investment into our communities and making Nova Scotia more resilient. Designating these areas tells industry that it’s time to go, it’s time to get ready for the first call for bids, and it’s time to invest in Nova Scotia.”
— Trevor Boudreau, Minister of Energy

“The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator is actively preparing its offshore renewable energy recommendations related to the making of an offshore wind call for bids and the terms and conditions of a submerged land licence. Governments designating the offshore wind energy areas is an important step in the offshore wind land tenure process.”
— Christine Bonnell-Eisnor, CEO, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator

---

Quick Facts:

• the federal and provincial governments collectively handle the Canada-Nova Scotia offshore space by means of the Canada-Nova Scotia accord acts
• the regional evaluation recognized eight areas with sturdy potential for offshore wind; after additional evaluation, the governments shortlisted 5 to proceed as proposed offshore wind power areas
• non-public corporations wanting to construct offshore wind initiatives will take part in a aggressive licensing course of managed by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator
• the Province has launched the ultimate module of the offshore wind street map, which outlines session and engagement and displays suggestions from events on offshore wind improvement

---

Additional Resources:

More details about offshore wind is out there at:

Designated offshore wind power areas: docs/designated-offshore-wind-energy-areas.pdf

Offshore wind street map: docs/offshore-wind-roadmap-module-3.pdf

Regional evaluation of offshore wind:

Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator:

Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan For Clean Growth:

---