RES has officially moved into the construction phase of the 168-megawatt (MW) Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm in Nova Scotia, Canada, after completing the development stage. The project, which is owned by Port Hawkesbury Paper Wind, will be the largest wind farm in both Nova Scotia and Maritime Canada.
The $450 million project is expected to start commercial operations in 2026. It aims to meet the energy needs of Nova Scotia, including supplying power to Port Hawkesbury Paper, and will play a key role in the province's transition to clean energy.
RES, which co-developed the project, will oversee the construction and installation of 24 cold-climate Nordex 163 7.0MW turbines. Each turbine will be equipped with advanced anti-icing blade technology, making them the largest nameplate wind turbines currently being installed in North America.
“As the developer and construction partner of choice for Port Hawkesbury Paper, our team is proud to be involved in this transformative wind energy project,” said Peter Clibbon, Senior Vice President at RES. “The Goose Harbour Lake project highlights RES' unique capability to provide clean energy solutions to industrial power users, reducing their power rates and carbon exposure.
The project is expected to create 150 full-time construction jobs and up to five permanent positions once operational. Additionally, the project will involve 13 Mi'kmaw First Nations through the Wskijinu'k Mtmo'taqnuow Agency, which will hold a 10% equity stake in the wind farm, increasing Indigenous participation in Nova Scotia's renewable energy sector.
Bevan Lock, Co-Mill Manager at Port Hawkesbury Paper, expressed optimism about the project's impact, saying, “Port Hawkesbury Paper looks forward to continuing our proud history of sustainable operations in Eastern Nova Scotia. This project will generate green energy for the benefit of all Nova Scotians and contribute to reducing both Nova Scotia's and Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.
