DARTMOUTH – The federal government is pledging $100 million for the development of an offshore wind energy project in Nova Scotia, which could supply power to homes and businesses in Quebec, Ontario, and New England.
Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson bundled up in a winter jacket and held tightly to his speaking notes Thursday as a strong Atlantic wind whipped through during his outdoor announcement for Wind West, which has the potential to be Canada’s first offshore wind project.
If it gets the green light, the initial $60 billion phase of the project could produce five gigawatts of electricity by 2033, significantly more than the 2.4 gigawatts Nova Scotia requires to meet its total energy needs.
“Even at this level of ambition, the project could provide electricity for up to 1.5 million homes here in Canada,” Hodgson stated at a news conference held on a wharf on the east side of Halifax harbour. “That’s three times the number of homes in Nova Scotia and creates an incredible export opportunity for Nova Scotian Power.”
Approximately $5 million from federal funding will be directed toward deploying floating light detection and ranging buoys that will measure offshore wind speeds and ocean conditions. An additional $3 million will assist in expanding modeling efforts that include plans for transmission lines connecting Quebec and Ontario, along with underwater surveys for possible cable routes.
Hodgson mentioned that the remaining funds would go towards subsea drilling over the next year to gather data about sea floor conditions.
“If we do this upfront and make it available to all potential bidders, it’ll enhance their understanding of what lies beneath and what it will cost so we can get better bids,” said the minister.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has long urged Ottawa to help cover costs related to Wind West. He noted that this funding cuts at least a year off development timelines while boosting confidence among potential developers.
Provincial officials have indicated that if all phases are built out, Wind West could generate up to 60 gigawatts of electricity. About $40 billion from this first five-gigawatt phase is planned for turbine infrastructure, with another $20 billion aimed at transmission projects.
“Before people start writing checks for billions of dollars, they need more concrete data, and we’re going to go get that information and share it with them,” said Houston.
The excess electricity produced could meet around 27 percent of Canada’s total demand. Both Quebec and Massachusetts have expressed interest in purchasing power from this proposed initiative.
Wind West is part of Atlantic Energy Strategy, which has been sent to Ottawa’s Major Projects Office for review.
Hodgson stated Thursday that the federal government views Atlantic Canada as one cohesive energy ecosystem and is working towards establishing a single electricity system operator for the Maritimes.
This would enable high voltage transmission lines linking Quebec and Prince Edward Island with Nova Scotia’s offshore energy project along with New Brunswick’s wind power as well as nuclear power from New Brunswick and hydroelectricity from Newfoundland and Labrador.
“It allows provinces to share those renewable resources so we don’t have to overbuild in each individual province,” emphasized Hodgson. “It enables each province to leverage their unique natural resources while sharing them across the region.”
The federal government claims more than 80 percent of Canada’s electricity already comes from renewable sources-such as solar, hydroelectricity, nuclear energy, and wind-but has faced criticism from environmental advocates regarding its focus on conventional oil and gas projects instead.
For instance, Ottawa’s electricity strategy introduced in May aims at doubling Canada’s grid capacity; key elements involve increasing reliance on natural gas development.
Clean Energy Canada-a think tank based at Simon Fraser University-asserted at that time that this strategy “overstates the role of natural gas while underestimating long-term benefits associated with clean energy solutions.”
This report by was first Oct. 15, 2026.
– With files from Nick Murray in Ottawa.
Devin Stevens,
Keep it Factual
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