Canada and Nova Scotia Implement New Legislative Framework for Offshore Wind Energy

The Government of Canada, in partnership with Nova Scotia, implements new legislative provisions governing offshore wind energy development to stimulate the economy and attract significant investments.

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The offshore wind energy sector is at the heart of a regulatory transformation in Canada. Recent legislative measures amend the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Hydrocarbons Accord Implementation Act to govern the development of renewable energy at sea. These legal adjustments aim to harmonize the land tenure regime and modernize regulatory tools for more effective project management.

Legislative Framework for Offshore Wind Energy

The federal Bill C‑49 and its provincial counterpart, Bill 471, form the basis of this new framework. The regulatory overhaul includes renaming the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Hydrocarbons Office to the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator (RCNEEE), and expanding its mandate to encompass offshore renewable energy projects. This legislative restructuring responds to the need for improved oversight of offshore activities while providing support tools for the national marine conservation program.

The new provisions establish a common framework for the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia, and, soon, Newfoundland and Labrador. They include mechanisms to facilitate the granting of permits for significant production capacities, targeting up to five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.

Economic Perspectives on Offshore Wind Energy

The economic stakes associated with this reform are considerable. The global offshore wind market, projected to attract approximately one trillion dollars in investments by 2040, offers unprecedented economic opportunities for Atlantic Canada. The creation of thousands of jobs and the attraction of major investments underline the scope of these prospects, all presented without any environmental promotion.

The implementation of this legislative framework reflects the commitment of governmental bodies to enhance the competitiveness of Canada’s energy sector. Collaboration across various levels of government demonstrates a coordinated approach to ensure rigorous resource management and responsible exploitation of wind energy potential. Industry stakeholders can rely on clear regulations to execute their projects while meeting the safety and technical standards set by the RCNEEE.

The adjustments to the regulatory framework also promise better integration of impact assessment tools, ensuring that each project is examined based on verifiable facts. This dynamic is expected to facilitate controlled growth in the sector, addressing economic imperatives while maintaining strict oversight of offshore operations.

The Astenn Avel consortium, led by Elicio and Q ENERGY, brings in VALOREM to bid for the 500 MW floating wind project planned off the coast of Southern Brittany.
The Astenn Avel consortium, led by Elicio and Q ENERGY, brings in VALOREM to bid for the 500 MW floating wind project planned off the coast of Southern Brittany.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank supports the construction of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 wind farm, co-owned by Mi'gmaq communities and Innergex, through a combined equity and debt financing package.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank supports the construction of the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n 2 wind farm, co-owned by Mi'gmaq communities and Innergex, through a combined equity and debt financing package.
The first turbine of the Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion project was assembled at Port-La Nouvelle, marking a major industrial milestone for Ocean Winds and its partners.
The first turbine of the Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion project was assembled at Port-La Nouvelle, marking a major industrial milestone for Ocean Winds and its partners.
RWE inaugurated an onshore wind farm in Plounérin and Plounévez-Moëdec, featuring four turbines with a capacity of 14.7 MW, in partnership with the local SEM Lannion-Trégor.
RWE inaugurated an onshore wind farm in Plounérin and Plounévez-Moëdec, featuring four turbines with a capacity of 14.7 MW, in partnership with the local SEM Lannion-Trégor.
The Moulins wind farm, made up of five turbines, was inaugurated on June 6 across three municipalities in the Douaisis region. It will generate €70,000 in annual tax revenue for local authorities.
The Moulins wind farm, made up of five turbines, was inaugurated on June 6 across three municipalities in the Douaisis region. It will generate €70,000 in annual tax revenue for local authorities.
Chinese firm SANY Renewable Energy enters Serbia through a 168 MW wind deal aimed at powering the local grid from 2028.
Chinese firm SANY Renewable Energy enters Serbia through a 168 MW wind deal aimed at powering the local grid from 2028.
The Wedgeport Wind project led by Elemental Energy secures $97mn from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to install 12 turbines in southwest Nova Scotia.
The Wedgeport Wind project led by Elemental Energy secures $97mn from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to install 12 turbines in southwest Nova Scotia.
France’s first floating wind farm, Provence Grand Large, located off the Gulf of Fos, has been commissioned with a 25 MW capacity, supplying the equivalent annual electricity consumption of 45,000 people.
France’s first floating wind farm, Provence Grand Large, located off the Gulf of Fos, has been commissioned with a 25 MW capacity, supplying the equivalent annual electricity consumption of 45,000 people.
Norges Bank Investment Management has finalised the acquisition of stakes in RWE's German and Danish projects, representing 2.6 GW of planned installed capacity by 2029.
Norges Bank Investment Management has finalised the acquisition of stakes in RWE's German and Danish projects, representing 2.6 GW of planned installed capacity by 2029.
Enlight has secured $310mn in financing to convert Gecama into a 554 MW wind-solar-storage hybrid plant, making it the largest installation of its kind in Spain.
Enlight has secured $310mn in financing to convert Gecama into a 554 MW wind-solar-storage hybrid plant, making it the largest installation of its kind in Spain.
The contracts for the offshore wind farms of Fécamp, Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brieuc have been amended to allow production shutdowns when electricity prices fall below zero on the market.
The contracts for the offshore wind farms of Fécamp, Saint-Nazaire and Saint-Brieuc have been amended to allow production shutdowns when electricity prices fall below zero on the market.
AMEA Power has completed the commissioning of a 500MW wind power plant in Ras Ghareb, bringing its total deployed capacity in Egypt to 1GW within six months.
AMEA Power has completed the commissioning of a 500MW wind power plant in Ras Ghareb, bringing its total deployed capacity in Egypt to 1GW within six months.
The 102 MW wind project in Québec secures structured loans from Canadian banks, marking a new stage for the joint venture between Innergex and the Mi'gmaq communities.
The 102 MW wind project in Québec secures structured loans from Canadian banks, marking a new stage for the joint venture between Innergex and the Mi'gmaq communities.
Aker Solutions will deliver the steel structure for an HVDC converter station for the offshore BalWin2 project developed by Amprion Offshore, under a contract valued at up to NOK2.5bn ($228mn).
Aker Solutions will deliver the steel structure for an HVDC converter station for the offshore BalWin2 project developed by Amprion Offshore, under a contract valued at up to NOK2.5bn ($228mn).
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners sells a minority stake in its 1 GW project to ACEN to accelerate its development ahead of upcoming energy auctions planned by the Philippine government.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners sells a minority stake in its 1 GW project to ACEN to accelerate its development ahead of upcoming energy auctions planned by the Philippine government.
Swedish wind developer Eolus has issued senior secured green bonds worth SEK550mn ($51.5mn), enabling the full refinancing of its existing debt.
Swedish wind developer Eolus has issued senior secured green bonds worth SEK550mn ($51.5mn), enabling the full refinancing of its existing debt.
The Mattheshöhe wind farm, composed of six turbines with a unit capacity of 4.26 MW, has entered operation under ENERTRAG’s management in the Uckermark region.
The Mattheshöhe wind farm, composed of six turbines with a unit capacity of 4.26 MW, has entered operation under ENERTRAG’s management in the Uckermark region.
French group VALOREM has inaugurated a 27 MW wind farm in Kozani and plans 515 MW of additional projects in Greece, reinforcing its investment strategy in the local market.
French group VALOREM has inaugurated a 27 MW wind farm in Kozani and plans 515 MW of additional projects in Greece, reinforcing its investment strategy in the local market.
Enel Green Power North America will increase its consolidated renewable capacity in the US through a wind asset swap agreement with Gulf Pacific Power, for a net consideration of $50mn.
Enel Green Power North America will increase its consolidated renewable capacity in the US through a wind asset swap agreement with Gulf Pacific Power, for a net consideration of $50mn.
Clean Energy Technologies announces a non-binding agreement with a European renewable energy developer, supported by a $4.4mn capital raise for a transaction estimated at $85mn.
Clean Energy Technologies announces a non-binding agreement with a European renewable energy developer, supported by a $4.4mn capital raise for a transaction estimated at $85mn.