Nova Scotia Issues Offshore Wind Roadmap

June 19, 2023, by Adnan Memija

The Canadian Province of Nova Scotia has released a roadmap for the development of its offshore wind industry following last year’s announcement to offer seabed leases for 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Source: Trianel

In September of last year, Nova Scotia announced that it will offer leases for 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, starting in 2025, with an ultimate aim to support green hydrogen production.

Leases for offshore wind development will be granted through a competitive bid process jointly managed by the provincial and federal governments, with the first call for bids scheduled to be issued in 2025.

After reaching the 5 GW target, calls for bids will be based on market opportunities, according to the press release from the Nova Scotia Government.

To help reach its goal, Nova Scotia now released an offshore wind roadmap that includes three modules.

The first module explains Nova Scotia’s approach to site selection, seabed licences, and support mechanisms. It also provides options for interested parties to share their input for future modules.

The second module will be released in the spring of 2024 and will focus on supply chain, infrastructure, and clean inclusive growth opportunities.

The third module, to be released in the fall of 2024, will focus on feedback from Mi’kmaq and Indigenous peoples from other communities, the fisheries industry, environmental organizations, academia, community groups, workers, the research community, ocean users, and other interested parties.

It will also consider input gathered through the federal-provincial regional assessment of offshore wind development, announced in March.

Engagement will continue after the third module is released, said the government.

“The Nova Scotia Offshore Wind Roadmap is an important milestone in creating a sustainable offshore wind industry for Nova Scotia. It emphasizes the importance of data collection and data-based decision-making in understanding how best to develop offshore wind as a source of clean energy for the province,” said Alisdair McLean, Executive Director of Net Zero Atlantic.

“The approach must be co-operative, and the road map will help ensure the involvement of rights holders and interested parties, including Mi’kmaq and Indigenous peoples from other communities, environmental organizations, fisheries, workers, academia, and community groups.”