Wind Energy – Nova Scotia
In an important step towards establishing an offshore wind industry in Canada, five wind energy areas (WEAs) have been proposed offshore Nova Scotia.
The WEAs proposed by the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) may be used for future offshore wind development.
The five areas proposed to go forward as wind energy areas are: French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank, Sydney Bight; and Western/Emerald Bank, which will be the subject of a public comment period that runs from 14 March to 14 April 2025. Input from the consultation will help shape the final designation of WEAs by the ministers at the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and NRCan.
The location and size of future call for bids areas within WEAs will be determined during the subsequent steps in the licensing process.
Nova Scotia has some of the strongest offshore wind resources in the world, and the government of Nova Scotia has set a target to issue licences for up to 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, with the first call for bids in 2025.
