DARTMOUTH, NS, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's east coast has some of the strongest winds in the world, and developing that natural advantage presents a transformative economic opportunity for Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, and our entire nation. As a source of clean, abundant energy, offshore wind can secure generational prosperity for the entire Atlantic region by making clean electricity a major new export for Nova Scotia, powering Canadian homes and businesses, securing major investment and creating thousands of jobs.
The Government of Canada will make sure we seize this opportunity. That is why today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, committed $100 million to advance offshore wind development in Nova Scotia. This will help secure the private investment needed to move projects like the province's Wind West clean energy initiative from concept to development.
Referred to the federal Major Projects Office in September 2025, the Atlantic Energy Strategy focuses on leveraging on- and offshore wind, nuclear and hydro power across Atlantic Canada to build a stronger, more connected grid. Wind West, a Nova Scotia–led project to develop offshore wind farms and connect their electricity to customers, is a key component of this Strategy. Wind West aims to generate enough zero-emissions electricity to power Nova Scotia's entire population and export additional power beyond Nova Scotia via new transmission infrastructure.
Before wind turbines can be built, companies need reliable information about the ocean and wind conditions. That is why $5 million of this $100-million commitment will go to the deployment of floating light detection and ranging (FLiDAR)–mounted buoys. By measuring offshore wind speeds and ocean conditions, these buoys will provide data to help proponents prepare for the upcoming project's Call for Bids, which will be launched by the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator in winter 2027.
Natural Resources Canada is also providing nearly $3 million to Net Zero Atlantic to expand existing modelling to include the transmission of offshore wind power from Nova Scotia to Quebec, Ontario and beyond and conduct marine survey work to support transmission cable routing.
Today's announcement builds on the Atlantic Economic Panel's call to develop the region's energy resources and strengthen electricity connections between provinces. Alongside the historic new Churchill Falls agreement, which represented the largest clean energy investment in North American history, it demonstrates the federal government's commitment to unlocking Atlantic Canada's potential as a clean energy superpower. Building out new clean electricity will bring economic prosperity, energy security, thousands of job opportunities, and a cleaner future to Canadians on the east coast and beyond.
Quotes
"Nova Scotia's world-class wind and highly skilled offshore workforce, developed through the legacy of offshore oil and gas, give Canada a competitive advantage in the potentially $1-trillion global offshore wind market -- an advantage we are determined to seize. We will unlock Atlantic Canada's massive potential by accelerating offshore wind development and strengthening Nova Scotia's position as a supplier of reliable, affordable and clean energy to customers in the province and across Canada."
The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
"Offshore wind could transform Nova Scotia's economy and make clean electricity our province's largest export. Canada's government is putting $100 million behind the work needed to attract investment and build that industry. The opportunity is enormous: jobs here at home, more clean electricity to help keep costs down and an economy that grows while cutting emissions. That's also the kind of ambition the Atlantic Economic Panel called for, and I'm glad we're already acting on it just weeks after its report."
The Honourable Sean Fraser
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
"Our government is building clean energy projects across the country, and we are moving fast. As Canadians and businesses electrify how they heat, drive and operate, clean power made here at home protects families from global price shocks and gives Canadian industry a competitive edge. Today's $100-million investment moves Wind West forward and positions Nova Scotia as a major source of clean power for Canada's economy."
The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
"Nova Scotia is no longer at the end of the energy transmission line -- we are the starting point. Today's announcement is another important step toward making Nova Scotia a global leader in offshore wind. By working together with the federal government, we are unlocking a generational economic opportunity that will attract investment, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen our economy. We aren't just protecting our own grid: we're powering Canada. This partnership positions Nova Scotia to compete on the world stage while building a cleaner, more prosperous future for our province and future generations."
Tim Houston
Premier of Nova Scotia
"We congratulate the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia on this important step toward offshore wind readiness in Atlantic Canada. The support announced today for the collection of wind speed and ocean conditions, marine surveys and energy market studies will generate data and insights valuable to accelerating the development of bankable projects. This support will attract investment into Nova Scotia, creating thousands of jobs and supplying significant clean energy to Canada's economy. Net Zero Atlantic is proud to contribute to this generational opportunity."
Alisdair McLean
Chief Executive Officer, Net Zero Atlantic
Quick Facts
- In offshore wind development, nearly 30 countries are ahead of Canada today. In the North Sea alone, thousands of turbines now generate more than 30 gigawatts of power, highlighting the urgency and scale of the opportunity Canada has to seize.
- Over the full lifetime of an offshore wind farm, about 17,500 jobs are created by every GW of offshore wind developed.
- Atlantic Canada and Nova Scotia have a strong legacy of offshore energy through a history in oil and gas, providing a skilled workforce well-prepared to handle the technical challenges of offshore wind, from mooring systems to extreme weather resilience.
- The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) is a $4.5-billion program delivered by Natural Resources Canada that is designed to reduce emissions and enable a more modern, reliable electricity grid system by supporting the deployment of grid modernization, energy storage and renewables in every region of Canada.
Related Products
- Bringing jobs and more clean power to Nova Scotia
- Government of Canada and Nova Scotia Set Direction for Offshore Wind Future
- Government of Canada Passes Legislation to Seize the Enormous Economic Opportunity Offshore Wind Presents for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador
Associated Links
- The Offshore Wind Predevelopment Program
- Atlantic Energy Strategy
- Powering Canada Forward: Clean Electricity Strategy
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
Contacts: Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6096, [email protected]; Charlotte Power, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, [email protected]
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