The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia have designated four offshore areas for future offshore wind development: French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank off mainland Nova Scotia and Sydney Bight off Cape Breton. These areas will form the basis of the province’s first offshore wind projects, with the aim of licensing up to 5 GW of capacity by 2030.
The next step will be to define specific parcels within these areas for inclusion in the first competitive bidding round, expected later this year. The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator will manage the process.
The designations follow a regional assessment published in January 2025, which identified eight areas with potential for offshore wind. Five areas were shortlisted in spring 2025 for public consultation, and four have now been confirmed. Feedback from the consultation led to adjustments in the boundaries of French Bank and Sydney Bight.
The final module of the Offshore Wind Roadmap has also been released, outlining consultation and engagement processes. Areas not selected in this first round, such as Western/Emerald Bank, may be considered in future rounds.
