On June 9, 2025, Net Zero Atlantic hosted in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy the Nova Scotia Offshore Wind R&D Roundtables at Dalhousie University. The event brought together over 60 participants from research institutions, industry, government, and Indigenous organizations, and was supported by sponsorship from Springboard Atlantic Inc., Dalhousie University, and Acadia University. .
Each participant contributed vital perspectives on how we can collectively shape the future of offshore wind in the province.
Timely conversation for region-specific goals
With a provincial target to issue licenses for up to 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2030, development is progressing from ambition to action. In response, organizations and other interests in the offshore wind area are working together to close knowledge gaps and build a strong foundation for sustainable development.
This next step in progress follows the completion of a comprehensive report issued from the Regional Assessment for Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia. The report identified key research needs, which the roundtable participants were tasked as a collective to further define and focus on how the region will act on them through strategic and collaborative effort.
An important first step in the journey to collective impact
The R&D Roundtables covered considerable ground, using local expertise supported by national and regional insight. Six small groups in separate rooms at the Dalhousie Student Union Building were guided by engagement facilitators from Iris Communications. Each group focused on identifying the most pressing R&D gaps across six research themes:
- Environmental effects of offshore wind
- Impact assessment
- Indigenous knowledge and research
- Socioecomonics of offshore wind
- Metocean and geological data
- Technology, innovation, and Upgrades
By the end of the day, each research area had a preliminary outline of research priorities, partnerships, and resources required for R&D project development.
More research and development planning is coming
Net Zero Atlantic and Nova Scotia Department of Energy's R&D Roundtable gathering was a good beginning with more to come. The ultimate goal of the collaborative work is the initiation of ideas and momentum that will directly inform the development of a strategic R&D plan that aligns effort, reduces duplication, and directs investment where it is needed most.
The next event on schedule, and on task to continue the work of the roundtables, is the Nova Scotia Offshore Wind R&D Forum on September 24, 2025, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This larger gathering will build on the R&D Roundtable outcomes and help drive coordinated action.
Visit the R&D Forum page to learn more about the opportunities it presents.