Onshore wind

Nova Scotia is capturing powerful winds to create energy that stabilizes electricity rates, grows our energy economy, increases our energy security and greens our electricity grid by reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Onshore wind offers the cheapest form of electricity we have today.

About onshore wind     

Tall turbines placed in areas with strong, consistent wind speeds can capture the wind to generate electricity. Nova Scotia has some of the best wind conditions in the world, making it an ideal location for wind energy development.

It’s already a main focus of the province’s transition to clean energy--onshore wind is the largest source of clean electricity in Nova Scotia, and its role will continue to grow as the province moves toward 80% clean electricity by 2030.

Onshore wind is proven as the most cost-effective power source in the province. Most of Nova Scotia’s wind capacity is developed by competitive tender – keeping the price more affordable for electricity consumers.

Benefits of onshore wind

Onshore wind offers many benefits to Nova Scotia, including:

  • clean energy – wind energy produces no greenhouse gas emissions and helps Nova Scotia meet clean energy goals: 1 megawatt of wind energy can power up to 350 homes and displace coal emissions by over 2,500 tonnes per year
  • lower energy costs – recently estimated at about 5.3 cents per kilowatt hour, onshore wind power is the most affordable source of new electricity and offers price stability through long-term contracts
  • energy independence – locally generated energy reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthens energy security
  • economic growth – creates local jobs, generates municipal tax revenue and attracts investment in rural communities; clean electricity from onshore wind can also support the province’s green hydrogen industry

Nova Scotia's onshore wind advantage

Nova Scotia is leading the way in wind energy development, with many advantages, including:

  • world-class resource – wind speeds in parts of the province exceed 50% capacity factors, making wind projects highly efficient
  • government commitment – the Clean Power Plan aims to add 1 gigawatt of new onshore wind capacity by 2030, for a total of 2 gigawatts in Nova Scotia
  • Indigenous leadership – many wind projects are developed in partnership with Mi’kmaw communities, ensuring economic benefits are shared

Building a successful wind project

Developing a wind farm requires careful planning and community involvement. Factors include:

  • wind resource assessment – identifying optimal locations with strong, consistent wind speeds
  • grid connection – ensuring proximity to transmission infrastructure for efficient power delivery
  • environmental considerations – conducting environmental assessments to minimize impacts on wildlife and ecosystems
  • community engagement – collaborating with Mi’kmaw communities and local residents to build support and share benefits
  • advanced turbine technology – taller towers and longer blades means fewer turbines are needed to capture the same or more energy from the wind

Onshore wind energy has significant benefits, but we know there are many questions about their effects on the environment and humans. For example, wind turbines generate noise and may not be suitable for all locations. For this reason, the required limit is 40 decibels, roughly equivalent to the noise from a refrigerator.

To make sure development is responsible, Nova Scotia has strict regulations governing wind project siting, sound levels and environmental impacts.

Support and training

The Government of Nova Scotia has launched several programs to accelerate onshore wind development:

  • Rate-based procurement – this process in 2022 resulted in 4 approved wind projects, totaling 312.4 megawatts, providing competitive pricing for new energy for 25 years. Projects include:
    • Benjamins Mills, West Hants County – developed by Natural Forces in partnership with Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency (WMA) (34 megawatts)
    • Wedgeport Wind, Yarmouth County – developed in partnership with Sipekne’katik First Nation, Elemental Energy and Stevens Wind (84 megawatts)
    • Higgins Mountain, Cumberland and Colchester counties – developed in partnership with Sipekne’katik First Nation, Elemental Energy and Stevens Wind (100 megawatts)
    • Weavers Mountain, Pictou and Antigonish counties – developed by SWEB Development and Glooscap First Nation (94.4 megawatts)
  • Green Choice program – launched in 2023, this program invited large energy customers (like hospitals, schools and businesses) to buy 100% renewable electricity from clean energy projects and then assessed proposals to supply that energy. Two projects from the 2024-25 procurement are moving ahead:
    • Eigg Mountain, Antigonish County – developed by Renewable Energy Systems Canada in partnership with Paq’tnkek and Pictou Landing First Nations (150 megawatts)
    • Sugar Maple, Pictou County – developed by SWEB in partnership with Glooscap First Nation (112 megawatts)
  • Prescribed projects – provincial regulations allow the government to award power purchase agreements to clean energy projects to sell their energy to a retailer like Nova Scotia Power or Renewall Energy Inc, who then sells the energy directly to customers. While several projects are in development, these projects have reached 25-year power purchase agreements:

Nova Scotia Power will pay an average of $63.77 per megawatt hour to buy electricity from these wind farms. That’s a substantial fuel cost saving compared to coal. Moving away from fossil fuels makes Nova Scotia more energy independent and that helps stabilize power rates.

Other opportunities to support the growth of the onshore wind sector and its workforce, include:

  • training programs – institutions like Nova Scotia Community College offer courses on clean energy, wind turbine technology and grid integration; wind projects may also support training and apprenticeship opportunities through community benefit agreements
  • industry partnerships – organizations like Canadian Renewable Energy Association and regional clean energy groups work to advance wind energy research, workforce development and policy advocacy
  • Clean Economy Grants Program – helps master's students research areas of importance to Nova Scotia's energy sector
  • Clean Economy Scholarship Program – helps students entering college or university with a scholarship to gain the skills for work in the renewable energy sector
  • Energy Training Program – helps businesses in the energy sector hire post-secondary students and recent graduates

Contact

Department of Energy 

Related information