The Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Readiness Forum is convened by Net Zero Atlantic.
Save the Date
The next chapter in Atlantic Canada’s offshore wind journey is taking shape. Join researchers, developers, policymakers, and industry leaders as we move from identifying priorities to enabling action.
Registration and venue details to follow. Stay tuned by joining our newsletter.
Call for abstracts is now open. Take a look below for more information.
Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Readiness Forum 2026
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | Halifax, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada is at an inflection point. Much of the foundational work is now in place: research priorities have been identified, knowledge gaps have been mapped, and early engagement has positioned us well to move forward. The Forum builds on past efforts to connect regional stakeholders, track priorities, and prepare the region for offshore wind development.
The 2026 Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Readiness Forum is designed to enable the early-stage research and actions that will reduce development risk, support permitting certainty, and accelerate timelines for offshore wind across the region. This is where industry, governments, researchers, and international partners align on the next steps for offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada.
Why This Forum, Why Now
The sector is entering a development readiness phase. Decisions made in the near term, on grid integration, environmental permitting, supply chain capacity, and regulatory frameworks, will shape outcomes for a generation. Global offshore wind markets have already navigated many of these challenges. Atlantic Canada has the opportunity to learn from their experience and build smarter.
The 2026 Forum will bring together local and international expertise to inform Atlantic Canada’s offshore wind development, enabling stakeholders to coordinate, prioritize, and take decisive action.
What to Expect
- Plenary sessions and expert panels presenting data-driven insights and lessons learned from international offshore wind projects
- Applied research and technical discussions on Atlantic Canada-specific knowledge gaps and development readiness challenges
- Networking and collaboration opportunities across sectors, disciplines, and jurisdictions
Who Should Attend
- Researchers and academics working on offshore wind and related energy systems
- Provincial and federal government representatives involved in energy, environment, and marine policy
- Offshore wind developers, project proponents, marine industry, and infrastructure partners
- Communities, Indigenous organizations, and associations interested in offshore wind planning
Share Your Insights. Shape the Conversation.
Net Zero Atlantic invites researchers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations at the 2026 Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Readiness Forum.
What We’re Looking For
We welcome abstracts on topics that advance offshore wind development readiness in Atlantic Canada, including but not limited to:
- Grid integration, transmission systems, inter-array cabling, and energy system modelling
- Supply chain development, marine logistics, workforce planning, and operations readiness
- Environmental assessment, monitoring, and permitting
- Geotechnical, oceanographic, and meteorological data collection and analysis
- Indigenous engagement, community involvement, and social licence
- Technology innovation for Atlantic Canadian conditions
- Policy, regulatory frameworks, and investment readiness, including project economics and domestic/export markets
- International case studies, lessons learned, and best practices
Presentations should be grounded in evidence and oriented toward practical relevance. We particularly encourage submissions that draw on global experience to address Atlantic Canadian challenges.
Key Dates
Milestone |
Date |
|
Call for abstracts opens |
March 11, 2026 |
|
Submission deadline |
May 14, 2026 |
|
Peer review period |
May 14 – June 11, 2026 |
|
Notification of acceptance |
June 18, 2026 |
|
Revised abstract deadline |
July 2, 2026 |
|
Presentation submission deadline |
September 2, 2026 |
|
Forum date |
September 16, 2026 |
Submission Guidelines
- Abstracts should be a max. of 300 words
- Include the title, presenting author(s), affiliation(s), and contact information
- Indicate your preferred presentation format: oral presentation or poster
- Submissions are reviewed by a peer review committee
- Accepted presenters will be notified and invited to revise and submit a final abstract
Download Abstract Documents
How to Submit
Submit your abstract through the online submission portal links below by May 14, 2026
Questions? Contact Madison Brenan at mbrennan@netzeroatlantic.ca
A New Name. The Same Momentum.
The Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Readiness Forum is the next evolution of a forum series that has tracked the region’s offshore wind sector step by step: building the network, defining the priorities, and now equipping the region to act.
How the forum has evolved:
- 2024 — Nova Scotia Offshore Wind R&D Forum: Built foundational awareness and connections across researchers and institutions in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada, bringing together 263 delegates to shape early collaboration.
- 2025 — Nova Scotia Offshore Wind R&D Forum: Focused on emerging research gaps and priorities identified through Regional Assessment and Roundtable discussions, aligning with growing provincial and federal interest. The Forum drew 295 delegates and emphasized translating knowledge into actionable outcomes.
This year’s Forum marks a shift from identifying knowledge gaps to enabling development readiness and will support with shaping permitting timelines, project design, and investor confidence across Atlantic Canada.