News

MEDIA RELEASE

CALGARY – Nova Scotia’s clean energy sector got another boost today as the federal government committed $100 million to advance offshore wind development in the province. The move will help secure the private investment needed to move projects like Wind West from concept to development, ahead of a Call for Bids expected in winter 2027.

“It’s great to see so much activity in Nova Scotia, from offshore wind to an expanded Green Choice Program,” said Jorden Dye, Director of BRC-Canada. “Today’s commitment helps get offshore wind ready for investment, and it comes at a time when demand from buyers is already proving itself in the province.”

That demand is visible in Green Choice, Nova Scotia’s subscription-model green tariff program. BRC-Canada’s 2025 Renewables in Review named Nova Scotia the dominant host of new corporate renewable energy deals over the past two years, after the province secured 262 MW of new wind through the program’s first round. Both projects are co-owned with Mi’kmaw partners and are now under construction. The program’s 11 customers include governments, universities, Halifax Water, Walmart Canada and Michelin North America (Canada).

A second Green Choice procurement is now underway, seeking 1,200 GWh of renewable electricity a year, roughly 350 MW of new capacity. Bids are open until January 14, 2027, with project selection expected in May.

“Offshore wind is a longer-term play, and projects like Wind West will take years to develop,” said Dye. “What Green Choice shows is that when large electricity buyers are given a clear way to purchase new clean power, they take it. Investment like today’s, paired with programs that let buyers participate, is how projects get built.”

BRC-Canada’s From Pledge to Power analysis found that Canada’s top 100 TSX-listed companies will need roughly 7.7 GW of renewable energy by 2040 to meet their goals, yet most provinces offer them few ways to buy it.

“Nova Scotia is showing what’s possible when governments and buyers move together,” added Dye. “We hope other provinces are paying attention to all the activity in Nova Scotia.”

Quick facts

• Wind West is a Nova Scotia-led project to develop offshore wind farms and connect their electricity to customers in and beyond the province.
• Nova Scotia’s Green Choice Program opened in December 2023 and accepted every applicant. Its 11 customers have a combined demand of about 1,100 GWh.
• Round one secured 262 MW of new wind, expected to generate more than 840 GWh a year and reach commercial operation by the end of 2028.
• Round two seeks roughly 350 MW of new onshore wind capacity, supporting the province’s goal of building 1,000 MW. 
• Since January 2019, 3.63 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy have been purchased Canada-wide (though largely in Alberta) through power purchase agreements (PPAs), enabling a total of 4.77 GW of project capacity. This equates to 14,700 gigawatt-hours per year of energy provided, leading to:
  • the creation of 7,000 jobs,
  • $7.5 billion in capital investment, and
  • the production of enough energy to power 1.9 million homes.
• In addition, $70 million in municipal tax revenues was provided to Alberta communities in 2025 from wind and solar projects operating in their municipalities.

-30-

Report: 2025 Renewables in Review
Report: From Pledge to Power
Statistics: See our Deal Tracker web page for quarterly updates on community benefits