Nova Scotia and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have signed an MoU to pursue cooperation on offshore wind energy, with the objective of enabling Nova Scotia to supply clean electricity to Massachusetts. The agreement pertains to the rising energy demand in New England, with offshore wind being identified as a potential source to meet part of this requirement. The memorandum reinforces an existing collaborative relationship and outlines shared priorities related to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, resilient regional infrastructure, and employment creation across the energy supply chain.
The Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator initiated the process for the first licensing round for offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia in October 2025, with a formal call for bids expected in the coming months. The regulator also completed a call for information and prequalification process in January 2026, and the inputs received will be used to shape recommendations to both federal and provincial governments on the design of the bidding framework. Moreover, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada jointly identified four initial offshore wind energy areas off the Nova Scotia coast in July 2025.
In November 2025, the Setapuktuk wind project received an environmental assessment. The 432 MW project will be developed in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and will consist of 54 wind turbines, each rated at 8 MW. The renewable electricity generated will be used to supply a green hydrogen and ammonia facility located in Point Tupper, Richmond County.
REGlobal’s Views: Massachusetts has been witnessing a rapid increase in energy demand owing to electrification and rising data centers. These offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia in Canada will help the state of Massachusetts to meet this demand with large volumes of reliable offshore wind especially during winter months. This development is important considering that the US offshore wind sector facing headwinds owing to recent policy disruptions.