Houston pitches ambitious 'Wind West' offshore wind energy project
In response to Prime Minister Mark Carney's bid to make Canada an "energy superpower," Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is floating the idea of dramatically ramping up the province's nascent offshore wind energy industry.
In an online video released earlier this week, Houston said he's hoping Carney's Liberal government will support a new megaproject the premier has dubbed "Wind West."
"Right now, Nova Scotia is on the edge of a clean energy breakthrough," the Progressive Conservative premier says on the slickly produced video. "We've been handed a golden ticket .... We cannot afford to let this moment pass us by."
Houston's plan calls for construction of enough offshore wind turbines to supply 27 per cent of Canada's total demand for electricity.
"Sounds like a stretch, right?" Houston asks rhetorically. "Well, it's not."
The video was released with little fanfare on Monday, a day before Canada's provincial and territorial leaders pitched their wish list for major projects at a meeting with Carney in Saskatoon. Carney has said projects deemed in the national interest could get fast-track approval.
Meanwhile, Houston's government has yet to release any details about how much his proposed project would cost.
"Nova Scotia cannot undertake an offshore wind project of this magnitude on its own," a provincial government spokesperson said Thursday in an email.
"Leveraging this opportunity will require a national-level consolidation of resources and industry development strategy, and significant federal support."
The statement said the new turbines could be built within the next 10 years.
Nova Scotia has no offshore wind turbines, but the province is in the process of licensing projects that could produce up to five gigawatts of electricity by 2030.
The province's new plan calls for private and government funding to pay for construction of enough turbines to generate 40 gigawatts of electricity — eight times greater than the projects now on the drawing board.
'It would be a game changer'
As well, Houston says a cross-country cable would be needed to get that electricity to other markets.
"Of course, there are questions," Houston says as the video shows him shaking hands with people and walking with construction workers. "Big projects always raise questions. But we are committed to working with Nova Scotians to ensure this project will benefit everyone."
He said bigger offshore wind farms could supply power to green hydrogen plants, battery manufacturers and AI data centres.
"This will transform our economy, create jobs and support families," he said Thursday in a statement. "It would be a game changer."
Houston has also renewed his support for the now defunct Energy East pipeline project, which called for a new oil pipeline stretching from Alberta to New Brunswick. The project was shelved by its proponent in 2017 amid slumping oil prices, mounting regulatory hurdles and opposition from politicians in Quebec and Indigenous groups.
Meanwhile, the prime minister has made it clear Ottawa is ready to spend big money to protect Canada from the ongoing trade turmoil caused by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Potential wind areas
"The point is to build the certainty ... that builders need to catalyze enormous investment — investment to make Canada into an energy superpower," Carney said Tuesday.
In March, Houston's government said it had identified five areas deemed suitable for development of offshore wind farms.
"Nova Scotia's offshore is particularly promising, with strong winds and favourable underwater conditions — including water depth and geology — to support offshore wind energy projects," the province said in a discussion paper released at the time.
A regional assessment had initially recommended eight potential wind energy areas, but a review shortened the list to five in January. The independent assessment, which started in 2023, was based on technical studies, geological surveys, environmental data, fishing activity and community feedback.
Four of the chosen wind energy areas are south of Nova Scotia's eastern shore: French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank and Emerald Bank. The fifth area, known as Sydney Bight, is northeast of Cape Breton. In all, these offshore areas cover more than 19,500 square kilometres.
A 25-kilometre buffer zone has been recommended from the Nova Scotia coastline and around Sable Island, a national park reserve.
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