Premier Tim Houston Enacts Offshore Wind and Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Development Charter

HALIFAX, N.S. — Premier Tim Houston and Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables Tory Rushton announced on Monday the proclamation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Act, establishing Nova Scotia's comprehensive statutory framework for competitive seabed leasing, environmental assessments, and commercial deployment of up to 5 gigawatts of offshore wind generation by 2030.

The landmark statute, developed in coordination with the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (transitioning to the Offshore Energy Regulator), positions Atlantic Canada as a global clean energy export gateway, utilizing offshore wind electricity to produce zero-carbon green hydrogen and ammonia for transatlantic export to European industrial markets.

Unlocking Atlantic Canada's World-Class Offshore Wind Resources The Scotian Shelf possesses some of the world's most consistent offshore wind speeds and shallow water depths, providing ideal conditions for fixed-bottom and floating marine turbine foundations.

"Nova Scotia is positioned to become a green energy powerhouse for North America and the world," Premier Tim Houston said at the Port of Halifax. "Our offshore winds are among the strongest in the world. By putting this clear, robust regulatory system in place, we are unlocking tens of billions in private clean energy capital, creating thousands of skilled union construction careers, and positioning Nova Scotia to export clean green hydrogen directly to European partners while meeting our own clean grid mandates."

Regulatory Leases and Indigenous Benefit Pacts Key pillars of the Offshore Renewable Energy Act include:

• Competitive Seabed Call for Bids: The inaugural 5-GW seabed leasing round will launch in early 2027 with pre-surveyed deep-water zones.
• Mi'kmaq Shared Resource Partnership: Enshrining mandatory Indigenous consultation, equity participation frameworks, and long-term royalty revenue sharing with Mi'kmaq First Nations communities.
• Green Hydrogen Marine Terminals: Designating deep-water marine export zones at Point Tupper and the Strait of Canso for automated green ammonia bunkering.

Energy industry leaders, marine engineering contractors, and European trade delegations welcomed the statutory milestone, highlighting that Nova Scotia's geographic proximity to Europe makes Atlantic Canadian green hydrogen highly competitive.