The federal government appears set on backing an ambitious mega

offshore wind project

in

Nova Scotia

even though it didn’t make Prime Minister

Mark Carney

‘s short list of major national projects recommended to be fast-tracked on Thursday. The Wind West Atlantic Energy project was among a group of potential nation-building projects that could be announced next, but require more work before the government decides on whether to fast-track them. Here’s what you need to know about Wind West.

What is Wind West?

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston pitched the project in June, saying that Wind West could produce 27 per cent of Canada’s energy needs with vast transmission infrastructure carrying electricity westward. But the project would require billions of dollars through a combination of provincial, federal and private investment. It would also likely involve consultation and an equity partnership offer with First Nations.

The main selling point is to tap offshore wind and deliver clean energy across Canada by way of a new transmission cable. Houston has said an overland line through New Brunswick into Quebec and then into Ontario would be preferable.

The province’s plan calls for private and government funding to pay for construction of enough turbines to generate 40 gigawatts of electricity, eight times more than originally planned.

Four of the chosen areas to place the offshore wind turbines are south of Nova Scotia’s eastern shore: French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank and Emerald Bank. The fifth area, known as Sydney Bight, is northeast of Cape Breton. In total, these offshore areas cover more than 19,500 square kilometres.

Who stands to benefit?

The Public Policy Forum in October 2023 released a study saying Sable Island Bank, an ocean area about 180 kilometres south of Nova Scotia, is among the world’s best locations for wind energy generation. The report said installing towers and infrastructure to generate 15 gigawatts of offshore wind power would create about 30,000 direct jobs annually, thereby bolstering both provincial paycheques and tax revenue coffers.

No private partners have been named at this point for the wind energy areas approved for development three months ago, but there are plenty of candidates.

Interest in Canada’s first offshore wind project could ramp up at a time when the Donald Trump administration in the United States is turning its back on the industry. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation cancelled US$679 million in federal funding for a dozen infrastructure projects that would support offshore wind power across the country.

Major corporate proponents developing offshore wind projects on North America’s East Coast include Ørsted A/S, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Avangrid Inc., EDP

Renovaveis SA

, Shell PLC, BP PLC and Equinor ASA. These companies hold leases and are actively engaged in the development of these large-scale projects.

What’s the timeline?

There are currently no offshore wind turbines in Canada, but Nova Scotia is in the process of licensing projects that could produce up to five gigawatts of electricity by 2030. The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator will manage a competitive licensing process. The province believes the new turbines could be built within the next 10 years.

How much will the project cost?

Houston has said a combination of provincial, private and federal investment would be needed, citing a preliminary cost estimate of $5 billion to $6 billion, but that could reach $10 billion.

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• Email: arankin@postmedia.com