Atlantic Energy Strategy
Sector
Electricity/Energy
Location
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Sector
Electricity/Energy
Location
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Description
The Atlantic Energy Strategy focuses on developing renewable and non-emitting energy sources by leveraging onshore and offshore-wind, nuclear and hydro power, across Atlantic Canada. It aims to connect renewable and emissions-free energy to meet rapidly growing demand across Eastern and Atlantic Canada, and beyond.
One part of the Atlantic Energy Strategy is Wind West, an ambitious concept that will foster the development of multiple offshore wind projects. Wind West seeks to leverage and connect more than 60 gigawatts of wind power potential in N.S., and more across Atlantic Canada, to market via new transmission infrastructure.
The other part of the Strategy could include important projects such as interties between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, transmission cables between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick as well as collaboration between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador on further development of Churchill Falls and Gull Island.
The Major Projects Office (MPO) will work with provinces and proponents to advance the Atlantic Energy Strategy, helping projects move forward, providing regulatory certainty to attract private investment, and setting a course for long term resource development in the Atlantic provinces.
Description
The Atlantic Energy Strategy focuses on developing renewable and non-emitting energy sources by leveraging onshore and offshore-wind, nuclear and hydro power, across Atlantic Canada. It aims to connect renewable and emissions-free energy to meet rapidly growing demand across Eastern and Atlantic Canada, and beyond.
One part of the Atlantic Energy Strategy is Wind West, an ambitious concept that will foster the development of multiple offshore wind projects. Wind West seeks to leverage and connect more than 60 gigawatts of wind power potential in N.S., and more across Atlantic Canada, to market via new transmission infrastructure.
The other part of the Strategy could include important projects such as interties between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, transmission cables between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick as well as collaboration between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador on further development of Churchill Falls and Gull Island.
The Major Projects Office (MPO) will work with provinces and proponents to advance the Atlantic Energy Strategy, helping projects move forward, providing regulatory certainty to attract private investment, and setting a course for long term resource development in the Atlantic provinces.
Quick facts
- New transmission line: Construction of Wasoqonatl intertie (a 160 km transmission line between N.S. and N.B.) is expected to:
- support approximately 587 direct and indirect jobs
- generate $105 million in GDP
- serve as an example of interprovincial collaboration.
- Innovative renewable energy project: The 184.5MW Mersey River Wind Power Project will be the first renewable-to-retail licence that will let Nova Scotians buy renewable electricity directly from the developer.
Benefits
- Unlocking 5,000 megawatts in the first phase of the Wind West project could produce 24 terawatt-hours of clean energy annually and drive billions in new investment and economic activity across Canada. This includes purchase of materials (e.g. steel and aluminum), contracting design, engineering, transmission management and construction opportunities, long-term operations and maintenance contracts, enhanced ports and marine infrastructure and unlocking energy for new industries.
- Strengthening regional self-sufficiency by connecting Atlantic provinces and enabling the growth of reliable, renewable energy production.
Latest updates
- In February 2026, Natural Resources Canada announced $25 million in funding to support Mersey River Wind, a wind farm in Nova Scotia capable of powering up to 50K homes, and nearly $5 million to Net Zero Atlantic for a pre-feasibility project to inform transmission options for the proposed Wind West project. The Mersey River Wind project is also being made possible by a $206 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- In January 2026, the Canada Infrastructure Bank announced a combined $54 million in equity loans to support First Nations ownership in Wasoqonatl intertie, a 160-km, 345-kV transmission line running parallel to the existing Onslow, N.S., to Salisbury, N.B. The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s investment in Wasoqonatl intertie now totals $285 million, including Indigenous equity loans and measures to preserve approximately $200 million in savings for Nova Scotia electricity customers.
- The Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator launched a Prequalification and a Call for Information process in October 2025, which closed on January 13, 2026. The results will inform the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator’s recommendations to the federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the provincial Minister of Energy on making the first ever Offshore Wind Call for Bids. The Call for Bids is expected in the latter half of 2026.
- Budget 2025 announced the Government of Canada’s intention to legislate the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit, which is a refundable credit equal to 15% of the capital cost of eligible investments in equipment related to low-emitting electricity generation – like nuclear equipment and specified renewable equipment, electricity storage, and qualified equipment for the transmission of electricity between provinces and territories.
- On September 20, 2025, the Government of Canada and Province of Nova Scotia issued joint direction to the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator to implement a prequalification process and a Call for Information to support the process to issue the first submerged land licences for offshore wind in Canada. This will help to attract qualified companies and provide an opportunity for the public, Indigenous groups and stakeholders to inform the path forward.
- On September 11, 2025, this transformative strategy was referred to the MPO.
- To support Nova Scotia’s initial goal of licensing up to 5 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, in July 2025 the Government of Canada and Province of Nova Scotia jointly designated four areas for potential offshore wind development.
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