The Canadian province of Nova Scotia and the US state of Massachusetts have inked a memorandum of understanding that could see Nova Scotia provide offshore wind power to Massachusetts in the coming years.
The agreement comes as the Canadian province hopes to launch its first seabed lease auction later this year.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston (pictured, left) said during a visit to Boston: “We’re on the verge of our first call for bids to license the first offshore wind projects in Canada, and we’re advancing Wind West to build the transmission infrastructure to send that clean energy to markets.”
“Our agreement with Massachusetts signals to developers that markets for their clean energy are solidifying, giving them even more confidence to invest in our new offshore wind industry,” he added.
Nova Scotia hopes to offer leases for as much as 5GW of offshore wind capacity, but needs to develop transmission links either to other parts of Canada through the planned Wind West project, or New England in the US via undersea cable, or both.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (pictured, right) said: “Our relationship with Nova Scotia is special. More than a century ago, when the Halifax Explosion devastated the city and its port, Massachusetts was there to provide immediate aid and support.
“That spirit of collaboration continues today as we work together to build a strong, resilient offshore wind sector that lowers energy costs and creates good-paying jobs along the Atlantic coast.”