Socioeconomic Impact of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia

Status: In progress

The project will provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential economic, social, workforce, and community implications of offshore wind (OSW) development at various scales through applied research and scenario-based analysis. The outcomes will inform future OSW-related policies, investments, and planning activities.

Objectives

This project aims to assess the socioeconomic impacts of OSW development in Nova Scotia. Specifically, the project objectives include:

• identifying and quantifying the potential economic impacts under different scenarios of offshore wind development;
• evaluating potential socioeconomic impacts on coastal communities and existing ocean users, and marine industries;
• assessing specific workforce and supply chain readiness, identifying actionable opportunities for upskilling and local industry participation;
• analyzing existing workforce transition programs and proposing enhancements tailored to Nova Scotia’s labour market conditions; and
• developing a Nova Scotia-specific implementation strategy, identifying which phases of offshore wind development could be executed locally, and how communities, especially equity-deserving groups, can benefit. 

Outcomes

The project includes developing a public-facing report that provides insights into the socioeconomic impacts of OSW development. It aims to create a comprehensive socio-economic assessment that will help clarify the type, duration, spatial context and distribution of the impacts. 

Support for the Program

This research project is supported by funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.