Nova Scotia has published a new offshore wind road map setting out the Canadian state’s vision for the offshore wind industry and outlining the regulatory path for businesses to invest in projects.
Last autumn, Premier Tim Houston announced a target to offer seabed leases for 5GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, with a first call for bids by 2025.
The Nova Scotia Offshore Wind Roadmap is being released in three stages.
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.
Engagement on offshore wind power is already underway, and the third module, to be released in the autumn of 2024, will focus on feedback from Mi’kmaq and Indigenous peoples from other communities, the fisheries industry, environmental organisations, academia, community groups, workers, the research community, ocean users and other interested parties.
Module 3 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.
Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables Tory Ruston said: “Nova Scotia offers some of the best offshore wind resources in the world, with ample capacity to serve both local and international green hydrogen markets,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables.
“We will use this geography to our advantage in our pursuit of offshore wind as one of many solutions to help fight climate change and grow our green economy. This is an exciting opportunity for Nova Scotia.”