Ottawa Pledges $100 Million to Advance Nova Scotia Offshore Wind Project
The federal government announced a $100 million investment on October 15, 2026, to fund data collection for the Wind West offshore wind project in Nova Scotia. The initiative supports the province's goal of licensing up to five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, which Premier Tim Houston said could unlock up to $60 billion in private investment.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced a $100 million federal investment on October 15, 2026, in Dartmouth, N.S., to advance offshore wind development in Nova Scotia. The funding is designated for collecting wind, ocean, and seafloor data related to the Wind West project.
Wind West is part of the Atlantic Energy Strategy, which was referred to the federal Major Projects Office in September 2025. Of the total investment, $5 million is allocated for developing tools to measure wind speeds and ocean conditions, with bids expected this winter. Nearly $3 million is committed to expand transmission modelling and marine survey work.
Nova Scotia aims to license up to five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. Premier Tim Houston stated that this initial five-gigawatt target could leverage between $40 billion and $60 billion in private investment. Provincial officials indicated that if all phases are built, Wind West could generate up to 60 gigawatts of electricity. Houston suggested excess electricity from the project could supply 27 per cent of Canada’s total demand. Quebec and Massachusetts have shown interest in buying electricity from the proposed project.
Eddie Oldfield, director of policy for the Maritimes at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), noted that electricity demand in Canada is expected to increase between 26 and 85 per cent by 2050. A CanREA poll found that 33 per cent of Canadians ranked affordability as a top priority for new electricity supply.
Official Opposition Leader Claudia Chender expressed support for the expansion of the sector but emphasized the need to understand how projects help people afford power bills.