Nova Scotia Offshore Wind Push Jumpstarts Canada Bid to Be Major Clean Energy Player

Nova Scotia introduced plans in late July to jumpstart Canada’s offshore wind business, revealing 4 designated areas for growth—the primary within the nation—situated off the province’s coast, with a aim to supply 5 GW by decade’s finish. Province Premier Tim Houston additionally famous extra formidable plans for the “Wind West” megaproject aimed to supply 40 GW of offshore wind energy for potential export throughout the nation and into the U.S.

The offshore wind push comes as half of a bigger effort by Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney, elected earlier yr, to construct the nation’s “vitality dominance”  by decreasing its dependence on energy imports from the U.S. and different nations, together with each fossil gasoline and renewables 

“Canada’s new authorities is able to fast-track main initiatives throughout the nation that may make [it] an vitality superpower,” Carney posted on social media following a gathering with oil and gasoline executives in Could. “All of us agree: it’s time to construct,” he added.

Carney is seen as a clear vitality proponent from previous roles as chairman of infrastructure investor Brookfield Asset Administration and head of its transition investing, and as UN particular envoy for local weather motion and finance. However he’s pledging to develop all types of vitality, “It’s time to construct Canada into an vitality superpower in each clear and traditional vitality,” he mentioned in backing building of an “vitality hall,” though with few particulars but as to initiatives within the “nationwide curiosity” to be included. 

Clear Vitality Increase

However associated to offshore wind, Nova Scotia mentioned the province plans to subject a name for bids earlier than yr finish on choose parcels inside the growth space, in a course of being managed by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Vitality Regulator. It goals to license growth of as much as 5 GW—double Nova Scotia’s present peak vitality use—by 2030, with proposals for each floating and fixed-bottom wind initiatives to be thought of.

“With among the high wind speeds on the earth, Nova Scotia has the potential to grow to be a clear vitality superpower,” mentioned Houston on July 29, contending that Wind West would produce 27% of Canada’s vitality wants however would require building of infrastructure  to ship energy westward. He mentioned a mixture of provincial, personal and federal funding can be wanted, citing a preliminary value estimate of $5 billion to $6 billion however that might attain $10 billion, in accordance with information studies.

Elsewhere on Canada’s east coast, Newfoundland and Labrador announced in June that laws handed to permit the province to additionally develop offshore wind. Different makes use of for offshore wind embrace supplying Canada’s nascent inexperienced hydrogen business, with a $4.45-billion Nova Scotia plant receiving environmental approvals final yr and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signing a provide settlement in 2022 with Germany.

Nova Scotia wind building, in addition to fossil gasoline venture growth, may additionally obtain a lift from federal legislation taking impact June 26 that permits the nationwide authorities to fast-track growth of sure “nation-building” initiatives. A brand new Main Federal Initiatives Workplace set to open in September is meant to satisfy a acknowledged aim to generate venture approvals inside two years, with Canada’s CBC News listing some projects that might acquire quick observe approval standing. 

US Connection?

Potential offshore wind export to New England states now could be gaining momentum, as they face a spot in anticipated home manufacturing from Trump administration actions to restrict US offshore wind development—most not too long ago cancellation of deliberate federal ocean lease gross sales in Maine, New York and central Atlantic states 

The Massachusetts Govt Workplace of Vitality and Environmental Affairs may search to acquire electrical energy from deliberate offshore wind farms in Canada, in accordance with a report by Canada’s National Observer, a web-based information publication targeted on investigative reporting.   

Massachusetts faces a statutory deadline to lock in contracts for a minimum of 5.6 GW of offshore wind by 2027 however just one venture–Winery Wind 1—is beneath beneath building. It’s set so as to add about 800 MW to the grid by the top of 2025. Different deliberate state initiatives have been halted or face delays. A spokesperson for the vitality workplace mentioned it’s contemplating partnerships to leverage “vital alternatives to assemble new onshore and offshore wind initiatives throughout Canada and the Northeast area.”

Equally, Maine is “carefully monitoring growth of offshore wind in Canada and contemplating how regional efforts could ship dependable, reasonably priced energy, fashionable infrastructure and broad financial advantages,” the Governor’s Vitality Workplace mentioned in an announcement. Employees who’re residents of tribal nations or members of worldwide
labor unions may theoretically work on initiatives in Canada, Grant Provost, enterprise agent for Ironworkers worldwide union Native 7
and Maine AFL-CIO vp, instructed the Maine Morning
Star. However he famous potential problems from present commerce tensions.

Two-thirds of Canadians need the federal authorities to prioritize clear vitality growth, mentioned a research launched final month by Clear Vitality Canada. However clean-economy tax credits launched by the earlier Liberal authorities stay gradual shifting. A spokesperson for Finance Canada mentioned it now “is within the means of finalizing” clear electrical energy and EV provide chain tax credit.

In the meantime, market observers are awaiting doable impacts of what’s termed as a “landmark opinion” July 23 by the UN’s highest court that nations might be in violation of worldwide legislation in the event that they fail to take measures
to mitigate local weather change. Whereas non-binding, the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice ruling may enhance authorized arguments in fits in opposition to international locations and corporations looking for reparations.  

The courtroom mentioned local weather change was an “pressing and existential menace” to humanity and international locations had a “responsibility to cooperate” on addressing it.