Nova Scotia, Massachusetts seek expertise on offshore wind 

Nova Scotia and Massachusetts are seeking wind power experts to weigh in on the potential for offshore development.

The province and state released a joint request for information on Nov. 12, following an announcement by Premier Tim Houston at the New England Canada Business Council Executive Energy Conference.

The governments are exploring opportunities for infrastructure development in Nova Scotia that will deliver energy to markets in New England. Their request builds on a memorandum of understanding between the province and Massachusetts that was signed in February.

In Boston on Thursday, Houston said Nova Scotia is, “uniquely positioned to become a renewable energy hub for eastern North America.”

The province wants more information on infrastructure and transmission needs. They’re looking for input from offshore wind and transmission developers, utility firms, Indigenous communities, fisheries representatives and supply chain companies.

“We’re talking to pretty much everybody, because we see this potential,” said Brian Owens, director of communications at the province’s Department of Energy. The province estimates that there is potential for 60 gigawatts of offshore electricity.

“If we can develop that 60 gigawatts, which is an incredible total, there is going to be multiple jurisdictions that will be able to deliver this power to and reap the economic benefits that will come from offshore wind,” he said in an interview on Thursday.

“Atlantic Canada has tremendous energy resources, but unlocking that value does require us to think beyond provincial borders and co-ordinate infrastructure investments,” said Michelle Robichaud, president of the Atlantica Centre for Energy based in Saint John, who was at the announcement.

The request for information comes after multiple announcements in October related to wind power investment. On Oct. 15, the federal government committed $100 million to offshore wind research in Nova Scotia. Two weeks later, the province signed an agreement on transmission and regional grid integration with Vermont.

The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31.