Canada identifies five offshore wind areas in Nova Scotia

Canada has identified five suitable areas for the development of offshore wind farms in Nova Scotia.

A regional assessment initially recommended eight potential wind energy areas, but that was cut down to five. Four of the five areas are south of Nova Scotia’s eastern shore – French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank, and Emerald Bank.

The fifth area, known as Sydney Bight, is northeast of Cape Breton. In all, these offshore areas cover more than 19,500 square kilometres. Canada will be looking to produce 5GW of electric offshore wind energy from the areas by 2030.

A 25-kilometre buffer zone has been recommended from the Nova Scotia coastline and around Sable Island, a national park reserve.

The government of Nova Scotia said that it will now seek input from citizens before official designations are granted. This process will end on April 14. After the areas receive official designation, expected later this year, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator will manage a competitive licensing process.

“The location and size of future call for bids areas within wind energy areas will be determined during the subsequent steps in the land tenure process,” the Nova Scotia government said.

According to the government, Canada, with the world’s longest coastline, is well-positioned to enter the $1trn global offshore wind market with Nova Scotia being particularly promising with strong winds and favourable underwater conditions.