Nova Scotia Offshore Wind R&D Program

Status: In Progress, Phase 1 completed

Nova Scotia is well positioned to enter a growing offshore wind market; as a key first step, the Province has set a target for the issuance of licences for 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. Construction and operation of offshore wind would bring billions in investment to Nova Scotia, create significant economic opportunity through the supply of goods and services, and generate clean-tech jobs. The clean electricity produced would be an important solution to rising clean electricity demand across North America and contribute to long-term energy security. Achieving this goal will require coordination, investment, and a comprehensive foundation of applied research and innovation.

The Nova Scotia Offshore Wind R&D Program is designed to convene knowledge, lay the foundation for high-impact research, and ensure accountability through sustained collaboration and strategic investment. 

Objectives

By fostering connections across sectors and communities, the program will:

• Advance a shared R&D plan grounded in Nova Scotia’s expertise and informed by regional, national, and international expertise.
• Build strategic partnerships among research institutions, governments, Indigenous organizations, industry, and other key stakeholders to deliver coordinated, high-quality work.
• Support clear planning that enables evidence-based decisions, accelerates innovation, and aligns with public priorities.
• Demonstrate leadership in offshore wind R&D by tracking progress, surfacing barriers early, and ensuring research remains relevant and actionable.

Deliverables

The work is organized into two phases.

Phase One: Strategic Offshore Wind R&D Planning 

• Offshore Wind R&D Roundtable
• Strategic Offshore Wind R&D Plan

Phase Two: Offshore Wind R&D Engagement 

• Nova Scotia Offshore Wind R&D Forum 2025
• Offshore Wind R&D Forum 2025 Summary Report 

Support for the program

This program is supported in funding by Nova Scotia Department of Energy.