Canada has officially designated its first four offshore wind energy areas off the coast of Nova Scotia, advancing federal and provincial plans to develop up to 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
The designated zones—French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank, and Sydney Bight—will be the focus of upcoming competitive bidding rounds, with the first call for bids expected later this year.
“The identification of wind energy areas off the coast of Nova Scotia is a significant step forward towards unlocking our renewable energy potential,” said Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources.
The announcement is part of a broader strategy to position Nova Scotia as a clean energy exporter, taking advantage of the region’s high offshore wind speeds and proximity to markets in North America and Europe.
“With some of the top wind speeds in the world, Nova Scotia has the potential to become a clean energy superpower,” said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.
Energy Minister Trevor Boudreau said the designation provides clarity to the industry: “It’s a clear signal—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.”
The four areas were selected from an initial pool of eight sites identified during a regional assessment process. Following public consultations, five areas were shortlisted, with Sydney Bight and French Bank adjusted in size to reflect stakeholder input. One of the five has not yet been designated.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator is now preparing final recommendations for the bid process and seabed licensing terms. “This is an important step in the offshore wind land tenure process,” said Christine Bonnell-Eisnor, CEO of the regulator.
The offshore area is jointly governed by the federal and Nova Scotia governments under the Canada-Nova Scotia Accord Acts. The province has also released the final component of its Offshore Wind Roadmap, outlining requirements for consultation and stakeholder engagement.
The designations mark a foundational step in Canada’s effort to accelerate offshore wind development, with expectations that the sector will play a growing role in the country’s energy transition.
