New bill could kick-start offshore wind industry in N.S. [Video]

HALIFAX –

The Nova Scotia government is planning to kick-start its offshore wind industry — with or without federal approval — and launch a first call for project bids next year.

Amendments tucked into an omnibus bill introduced Tuesday will help ensure the province meets its offshore wind and climate change goals, Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton told reporters.

After it launches a first call for project bids in 2025, the province wants to offer licences to develop a total of five gigawatts of power from offshore wind by 2030.

“Normally we’d wait for the federal process to finish, but it has been progressing slowly and we don’t want to waste any time,” Rushton said.

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Federal legislation that would enable the development of offshore wind farms in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador has passed through the first and second reading …