On September 2, a leading research organization in Atlantic Canada, Net Zero Atlantic, released a report called Assessment of Atlantic Canadian Ports to Support Offshore Wind Development. The report provides a snapshot of Atlantic Canada’s port capabilities, highlighting 10 large ports that have the potential to serve as primary hubs for offshore wind projects in both domestic and US markets.
“Having 10 locations with potential to support offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada as primary ports is encouraging,” said Sven Scholtysik, Research Director for Net Zero Atlantic and member of the project management team for the research project. “More ports will play a role, but primary ports are essential to the development of offshore wind sites.”
As a coastal region with many active ports and significant offshore wind potential, Atlantic Canada has been assumed to be well-positioned to play a key role in successfully developing Canada’s offshore wind industry. However, the degree of readiness for the potential ports was unknown. An assessment of port suitability was needed. The Assessment of Atlantic Canadian Ports to Support Offshore Wind Development, led by Net Zero Atlantic and supported in funding by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and three offshore wind developers – Northland Power, Simply Blue Group, and Nova East Wind Inc. – was developed to provide an overview of capabilities for ports and investors.
"This assessment is an important step in preparing the region for offshore wind development,” said Gerry Sheehan, a Project Development Manager with Nova East Wind and one of the three private sector funders for the research. “By identifying port needs and opportunities, it helps provide clarity for future investment and positions Atlantic Canada as a competitive player in the offshore wind industry."
The study began with a self-reported information survey from interested ports and concluded with an 81-page report and an accompanying set of port infrastructure layouts. The research was conducted by Moffatt & Nichol, a firm known as leaders in port infrastructure for offshore wind, and four secondary investigators – Xodus, Caron Hawco Group, Angler Solutions, and Envigour.
Interested parties are invited to download the report from the project page.