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Offshore Wind Futures

Building the supply chain. Developing the workforce. Powering the future.

Atlantic Canada has world-class offshore wind resources and a strong base of marine and energy sector capabilities to play a leading role in offshore wind.

Supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Nova Scotia Department of Energy (DOE), Offshore Wind Futures is a two-year (2026-2028) Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) project focused on helping businesses and workers across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada prepare for the opportunities that offshore wind development could create.

Through supplier education and readiness, workforce development, industry connections and collaboration, the project will help strengthen the regional capabilities needed to participate in offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia and beyond.

We Need to Be Ready

Through Wind West Atlantic Energy, Nova Scotia is advancing an ambitious clean energy megaproject aimed at harnessing more than 60 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind potential.

The initiative is expected to begin with the development of 5 GW of offshore wind, with Nova Scotia preparing to launch its first Call for Bids. New transmission infrastructure is also planned to deliver clean electricity to markets in Eastern Canada and potentially the United States.

For Atlantic Canada, this represents more than an opportunity to generate clean electricity. Offshore wind development could create new opportunities for local businesses and workers in areas such as marine operations, construction, engineering, environmental services, logistics, manufacturing, ports and transportation.

But to be successful, we need to be ready.

Atlantic Canada Has a Strong Foundation

The Atlantic Wind Energy Supply Chain Assessment, led by MRC, identified significant opportunities to build a competitive regional offshore wind supply chain and workforce.

Of more than 1,000 Atlantic Canadian companies assessed, approximately 60% already have capabilities applicable to offshore wind, particularly in marine operations, logistics and environmental services. Offshore wind development could also create up to 6,000 jobs at peak construction under a medium deployment scenario of 7.5 GW.

However, having the right capabilities is only part of the equation.

Businesses need to understand where they fit within the offshore wind value chain, how procurement works, and what developers and major suppliers will require. At the same time, workers need access to the skills, training and certifications that future offshore wind projects will demand.

Offshore Wind Futures is designed to help close those gaps.

Focus Areas

Over a two-year development and implementation period, the project will focus on two interconnected areas:

Supplier Education & Readiness

  • Help companies understand where their capabilities fit within the offshore wind value chain
  • Build awareness of procurement pathways and supplier requirements
  • Prepare regional businesses to compete for future contracts
  • Connect local suppliers with developers, Tier-1 suppliers and industry partners

Workforce Development & Planning

  • Identify priority occupations, skills and workforce needs
  • Support alignment between industry needs and regional training pathways
  • Strengthen coordination among industry, training institutions, governments and workforce partners
  • Support opportunities for Indigenous businesses and communities, underrepresented groups and rural communities

Offshore Wind Futures Has Five Key Objectives

  1. Increase supplier readiness.
    Prepare Nova Scotian and Atlantic Canadian companies to compete for offshore wind supply chain contracts.
  2. Develop a skilled workforce.
    Establish training pathways aligned with offshore wind occupations and industry certification standards.
  3. Support inclusive participation.
    Expand participation of the full workforce including Indigenous businesses, diverse suppliers, and rural communities.
  4. Strengthen the regional offshore wind ecosystem.
    Build stronger connections between developers, suppliers, training institutions, and communities.
  5. Support local workforce and supply chain competitiveness in future offshore wind procurement processes.
    Ensure regional companies and workers are prepared to participate in upcoming offshore wind projects.

Updates & Resources

MRC will provide relevant project updates to stakeholders, funders, committees and working groups, MRC members and the public as the initiative progresses.

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