Canada and Nova Scotia Unveil First Offshore Wind Zones

In a major step toward advancing renewable energy, the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia have jointly announced the official designation of the country’s first offshore wind energy zones. The designated areas include French Bank, Middle Bank, and Sable Island Bank located off mainland Nova Scotia, as well as Sydney Bight off the coast of Cape Breton.

This development is part of Canada’s broader goal to secure five gigawatts of offshore wind generation capacity by 2030, setting Nova Scotia on a path to become a key player in the clean energy export market. The next stage of the project will involve selecting specific tracts within these zones to be offered during the first competitive bidding round, which is expected to take place later this year.

“With some of the top wind speeds in the world, Nova Scotia has the potential to become a clean energy superpower,” said Premier Tim Houston. “With the right infrastructure, we’ll have the opportunity to send our wind west to power other parts of Canada.”

The designation process involved consultations with the public and other stakeholders, which led to adjustments in the boundaries of two areas—French Bank and Sydney Bight—resulting in slightly smaller development zones.

Private developers will be able to bid on leases through a competitive process overseen by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator.

“We are moving quickly to deliver on our commitment to advance offshore wind, create clean jobs and support our long-term energy security,” noted Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Following this initial licensing phase, officials plan to assess four additional offshore areas that were flagged in the regional study published in January 2025, including the Western/Emerald Bank zone.