July 30, 2025 Nova Scotia is set to become Canada’s leader in offshore wind power, with the federal government officially designating five offshore wind energy zones—the first of their kind in the country.
Announced Monday by the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator (CNSOER), the designated areas are located along the Scotian Shelf, covering approximately 5,000 square kilometres. Together, they have the potential to produce up to five gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity, marking a major step toward Canada’s offshore wind goals.
To put that in context, Nova Scotia’s peak electricity demand is estimated at just 2.4 GW. The province already relies heavily on wind and other renewable sources, meaning the additional offshore capacity could leave Nova Scotia with a significant surplus of green power—an opportunity to export clean energy or fuel future industries such as green hydrogen.
The five areas were selected following consultations with Indigenous communities, industry stakeholders and the public, and include both shallow and deep-water zones. The Crown will now open a competitive bidding process to lease the sites to wind developers, with project-specific environmental assessments to follow.
“These first designations represent a significant milestone as Canada develops its offshore wind sector,” said CNSOER’s chief executive officer Lisa Baiton in the announcement.
The federal government aims to award leases for the first projects by 2026, with environmental reviews and permitting beginning shortly thereafter. According to the CNSOER, the designated areas were chosen for their strong wind potential, low conflict with other ocean users, and ability to connect to existing transmission infrastructure.
