“Canada’s new government is ready to fast-track major projects across the country that will make Canada an energy superpower,” Carney posted on social media following a meeting with oil and gas executives and a letter requesting a government "action plan." 

Carney was seen as a clean energy proponent from past roles as chairman of infrastructure investor Brookfield Asset Management and head of its transition investing, and as UN special envoy for climate action and finance. But he is pledging to develop all forms of energy. “It’s time to build Canada into an energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy,” he said in backing construction of an “energy corridor,” although with few details yet as to projects in the "national interest" to be included. 

Clean Energy Boost

Related to offshore wind, Nova Scotia said the province plans to issue a call for bids before year end on select parcels within the development area, in a process being managed by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator. It aims to license development of up to 5 GW—double Nova Scotia’s current peak energy use—by 2030, with proposals for both floating and fixed-bottom wind projects to be considered.

“With some of the top wind speeds in the world, Nova Scotia has the potential to become a clean energy superpower,” said Houston on July 29, contending that Wind West would produce 27% of Canada’s energy needs but would require construction of transmission infrastructure to deliver power westward. He said a combination of provincial, private and federal investment would be needed, citing a preliminary cost estimate of C$5 billion to C$6 billion but that could reach C$10 billion, according to news reports.

Elsewhere on Canada's east coast, Newfoundland and Labrador announced in June that legislation passed to allow the province to also develop offshore wind. Other uses for offshore wind include supplying Canada's nascent green hydrogen industry, with a $4.45-billion Nova Scotia plant receiving environmental approvals last year and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signing a supply agreement in 2022 with Germany.

Nova Scotia wind construction, as well as fossil fuel project development, could also receive a boost from federal legislation taking effect June 26 that allows the national government to fast-track development of certain “nation-building” projects. A new Major Federal Projects Office set to open in September is intended to meet a stated goal to generate project approvals within two years, with Canada's CBC News listing some projects that could gain fast track approval status. 

US Connection?

Potential offshore wind export to New England states now is gaining momentum, as they face a gap in expected domestic production from Trump administration actions to limit US offshore wind growth—most recently cancellation of planned federal ocean lease sales in Maine, New York and central Atlantic states 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs could seek to procure power from planned offshore wind farms in Canada, according to a report by Canada’s National Observer, an online news publication.   

Massachusetts faces a statutory deadline to lock in contracts for at least 5.6 GW of offshore wind by 2027, but only one project–Vineyard Wind 1—is under under construction, set to add about 800 MW to the grid by the end of 2025. Other planned state projects have been halted or face delays. A spokesperson for the energy office said it is considering partnerships to leverage “significant opportunities to construct new onshore and offshore wind projects across Canada and the Northeast region.”

Similarly, Maine is “closely tracking development of offshore wind in Canada and considering how regional efforts may deliver reliable, affordable power, modern infrastructure and broad economic benefits,” the Governor’s Energy Office said in a statement. Workers who are citizens of tribal nations or members of international labor unions could theoretically work on projects in Canada, Grant Provost, business agent for Ironworkers international union Local 7 and Maine AFL-CIO vice president, told the Maine Morning Star. But he noted potential complications from current U.S-Canada trade tensions.

Two-thirds of Canadians want the federal government to prioritize clean energy development, said a study released last month by Clean Energy Canada. But legislation to enact clean-economy tax credits introduced by the previous Liberal government remains slow moving. A spokesperson for Finance Canada said it now “is in the process of finalizing" clean electricity and EV supply chain tax credits.

Meanwhile, market observers are awaiting possible impacts of what is termed a “landmark opinion” July 23 by the UN's highest court that nations could violate international law if they fail to take measures to mitigate climate change. While non-binding, the International Court of Justice ruling could boost legal arguments in lawsuits against countries and companies seeking reparations.  

The court said climate change was an “urgent and existential threat” to humanity and countries had a “duty to cooperate” in addressing it.