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Seeing major companies prequalify for a shot at offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia is an early but important step forward
By TJ Colello
The executive director of Marine Renewables Canada says seeing major companies prequalify for a shot at offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia is an early but important step forward.
“I would say we view it as a very positive milestone, particularly because it was successful in attracting a number of world-leading developers and companies,” said Elisa Obermann of Marine Renewables Canada, a national proponent for tidal, offshore wind, wave and river current energy.
“It appears right now that things are on schedule in terms of the timeline and the steps in the whole call for bids process, so I would say we’re pretty pleased to see this progress at this point.”
On Friday, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator announced the companies that have elected to be publicly identified as prequalified to participate in the province’s first offshore wind call for bids. The date for bidding is still to be announced but is expected to take place later this year.
Obermann said the process is long but thorough.
“Which is I think a good thing considering this is the first time Nova Scotia and Canada have been working to develop offshore wind,” she said. “I think it will also give some confidence to the public and stakeholders and communities that this is being looked at very carefully, and that good decisions are being made.”
EARLY STEP
The offshore wind prequalification process was opened for 90 days from Oct. 16, 2025, to Jan. 13, 2026. To prequalify, companies were assessed under three different categories: financial capability, technical expertise, and legal and social status.
The companies selected will now be eligible to bid on a parcel or parcels in the next offshore wind call for bids.
The companies publicly named that prequalified include:
- DEME Concessions Wind NV
- A group comprised of DP Energy Canada Ltd., Enterprize Energy Atlantic Pte. Ltd., Nova East Wind Inc., and SBM Renewables Holding SA
- A group comprised of Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd. and Q ENERGY France SAS
- Jan De Nul NV
- Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd.
- Northland Power Inc.
- Simply Blue Energy (OSW) Ltd.
“Some of them are very well-known developers who have been working internationally for quite a while and have experience developing or supporting international offshore wind projects, so I think that’s a very good sign,” said Obermann. “Bringing that expertise and experience to Nova Scotia can help ensure that we have a sustainable and successful offshore wind industry.”
Companies that did not consent to having their prequalification status made public by the regulator are not included in the list. The total number of companies that prequalified was also not made public.
PREMIER’S REACTION
Last year, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston unveiled Canada’s first four designated offshore wind areas off Nova Scotia’s coast. Three of the designated areas are south of the eastern mainland portion of the province, while the other is located east of Cape Breton Island. The plan is to unlock up to 62 gigawatts of offshore wind, roughly a quarter of Canada’s total energy capacity.
The initial phase of the Wind West project is to license five gigawatts of offshore wind by 2033. It’s estimated to cost about $60 billion for turbine infrastructure and new transmission lines.
According to the province, Nova Scotia’s offshore wind sector is projected to be a $4.6-billion industry within seven years.
In a statement released Friday after the list of prequalified companies was unveiled, Houston said his province’s “world-class offshore wind resource has captured the attention of international wind energy companies.”
“By attracting companies with the experience and know-how to deliver large energy projects, we are setting the stage for a successful offshore wind industry here at home,” Houston said. “Our Wind West plan represents a generational opportunity — one that will create good-paying local jobs, attract billions of dollars in new investment, generate new export revenues and drive significant economic growth across the region for decades.
“This kind of growth will move us from a have not to a have province and create many new opportunities for our young people, small businesses and communities. Today’s news reinforces our confidence that Nova Scotia is ready to lead, and we look forward to the next steps as we harness the power of our winds, deliver clean energy to markets in need and realize our ambition to becoming an energy leader on the world stage.”
‘THERE WILL BE DEMAND’
Obermann said while there’s still an unknown when it comes to the point of sale of the electricity that will be produced by the industry down the road, they’re confident buyers will be found.
In February, Nova Scotia and Massachusetts signed an agreement for the province to supply the New England state with clean energy from offshore wind. Hydro-Québec has also shown interest in tapping into Nova Scotia’s offshore wind potential.
“Industry and developers and investors recognize that the province of Nova Scotia is working quite diligently to help solve that remaining question,” she said.
“There are jurisdictions that have immense electricity demand needs post 2030, so I think there will be somewhere for the electricity to go for sure. There will be the demand for it, it’s just a matter of the technical and financial aspects to help deliver that electricity to market.”
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