At sea surveys are being conducted this summer in offshore Nova Scotia as the province and the federal government work towards a target for five gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.
The first call for bids is expected this year. Leases for offshore wind development will be granted through a competitive bid process jointly managed by the provincial and federal governments, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator (NSOER), formerly the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.
For the fishing industry, ensuring its collective voice is continuing to be heard as the push for offshore renewable energy projects goes forward is a priority.
From May 27 to June 14, the Geological Survey of Canada and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) conducted marine geoscience research along the Scotian Shelf (Middle Bank, French Bank, Sable Bank, Emerald Bank and LaHave Basin) in support of NRCan’s Offshore Wind Predevelopment program and Marine Geoscience for Marine Spatial Planning program.
The surveys proved to be “quite disruptive to the harvesting sector,” said Kris Vascotto, executive director of the Nova Scotia Fisheries Alliance for Energy Engagement (NSFAEE).
“There was a pretty substantial impact to snow crab and halibut fishers. As well there was very little notice when those surveys were being done, very little communication with what and where they were going so it was pretty disruptive,” said Vascotto.
“There’s a bunch more surveys coming up. The industry does feel a more collaborative approach and better communication in the process would be good,” said Vascotto, calling it a work in progress.
“Now there’s beginning to be an understanding at the provincial and federal levels that there are impacts and that there are people using these areas right now. Those conversations are starting to become a little more wholesome. They are listening to the harvesting sector and realize everybody just wants to find a way to co-exist on the water at the same time and have a little bit of respect on both sides.”
Vascotto said the NSFAEE are still in talks with the various levels of government to ensure if someone decided to dig on one of those 20 to 25 offshore parcels that they have a good understanding of the existing uses by the harvesting sector.
“At the same time, we’re hoping the government can provide a clear path for what a proponent is going to be responsible for if it’s decided to build one of these offshore windfarms in an area and there are going to be detrimental impacts. Will the proponents be responsible for making sure fishers and their livelihoods can continue on? That’s a really important piece that has to be in play before a call for bids. It’s important for the harvesting sector to see themselves still working on the water even as these types of developments move forward,” said Vascotto.
The NSFAEE is also “engaging with DFO as well just to make sure we understand what their role is going to be in this process moving forward,” said Vascotto. “So those conversations are ongoing and we’re still looking at the commitment that has been made to issue a call for bids by the end of 2025 with the intent it will be done by 2030.”
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Canada has launched the Offshore Wind Predevelopment Program to capitalize on Canada’s offshore wind potential off the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The program is composed of three different initiatives: Offshore Wind Indigenous and Coastal Communities Grant Funding, Regional Marine Data Collection Campaign, and Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Integration and Transmission Study.
Lead by Net Zero Atlantic, the objective of the Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Integration and Transmission Study is to analyze the impacts of integrating large-scale offshore wind generated electricity into the Atlantic grid. It will assess constraints, required investments and technical impacts, particularly focusing on necessary upgrades to the transmission and distribution network.
The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, the study will also consider the use of offshore wind generated electricity for local grid decarbonization, export and the production of hydrogen from electrolysis. The project aims to: Compile a database of wind speed profiles for potential offshore wind development sites across Atlantic Canada; improve the understanding of operational challenges and opportunities associated with developing Atlantic Canada’s offshore wind resource for integration into the electricity grid, and analyze grid infrastructure bottlenecks, and identify necessary investments to support large-scale offshore wind generated electricity in Atlantic Canada.
Phase 1 of the two-year study was released on June 9. The Market Opportunities for Offshore Wind (OSW) in Atlantic Canada report is focused on domestic and international market opportunities.
“The Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Grid Integration and Transmission Study is another example of how we will enable the transition of Atlantic Canada’s energy system to a carbon-neutral future through collaboration on applied research,” said Net Zero Atlantic on their website.
Phase 2 of the project is an Offshore Wind Resource Potential Study and Phase 3, Grid Integration Study.
