Canada and wind power

Wind Energy Statistics

According to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), 677 MW of new wind energy was commissioned in 2021. Alberta accounted for more than 60% of new Renewable Energy capacity in 2021 and Saskatchewan with another 20%. At the end of 2021 Canada had approximately 14,304 MW of installed wind energy capacity, and ranked 9th in the world by the end of 2020.

Nova Scotia is the most favorable location for wind projects with wind speeds of 10-11 meters per second, a continental shelf suited for both floating and fixed platforms, a connection to international shipping trade routes, a ready to diversify marine service and supply chain, and an established oil and gas sector that could support emerging renewables projects. The cost of electricity from offshore wind has decreased drastically in recent years as developers have installed larger and more efficient turbines making offshore wind a major focus for Canadian wind energy development.

The first offshore wind projects were planned in Ontario and to be built in lake waters. However, the plans fell through after the Ontario government imposed a moratorium on offshore wind in 2011. By the end of 2015 the moratorium was extended citing the need for further research in the environmental effects of offshore wind in lake waters. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition (OREAC), and the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), Canada has an offshore wind technical potential of 9,321 GW. Of this amount, 7,282 GW is estimated to be accessible through floating wind technology.

Targets, Goals, and Barriers

Canada has a goal of utilizing larger turbines of up to 5.2 MW of capacity and newer technologies which will reduce the stie footprint and potential impacts. Nova Scotia has announced the auctioning off of 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, starting in 2025, with the intent to support green hydrogen production. This announcement was made following the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent by Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to establish the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance. An agreement to enable Canada to export green hydrogen to Germany by 2025.

Provinces of Focus

Alberta

Rystad Energy tracks utility scale wind and solar assets with a minimum capacity of 1 MW. This company anticipates that 83% of the combined utility scale wind and solar capacity to be installed in Canada in the next 5 years will be in Alberta. Alberta's current renewable capacity includes 0.1 GW of solar and 1.8 GW of wind power. By 2025, this capacity is expected to grow to 1.8 GW of solar and 6.5 GW of wind.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is a sought-after location for being one of the top three wind regimes, it has a uniquely large continental shelf ideal for floating and fixed wind platforms, it has a geographical advantage for international shipping, an experienced and competitive marine service and supply chain, a wealth of experience from the oil and gas industry, and has academic researchers with expertise in clean energy technology. Offshore wind projects will be administered by the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB), whose mandate will be expanded to include offshore renewable energy development and name changed to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Board.