Marine Renewables Canada Brought the Canadian Offshore Wind Sector into the Global Spotlight at WindEurope 2026

On April 21-23, 2026, Marine Renewables Canada (MRC), with support from the Government of Canada, led a delegation of 24 Canadian companies and organizations to WindEurope 2026 in Madrid, Spain. The mission provided an important platform to showcase Canada’s growing offshore wind sector, strengthen international relationships, and support Canadian companies in accessing global opportunities.

WindEurope is one of the world’s leading wind energy events, bringing together developers, supply chain companies, policymakers, and investors from across Europe and beyond. This year’s conference welcomed more than 15,000 participants from 85 countries, with 624 exhibitors, over 90 sessions, and more than 460 speakers.

Canada’s presence this year was both highly visible and strategically coordinated, reflecting the country’s increasing role in the global offshore wind landscape – driven by growing activity and momentum in Nova Scotia.

A Strong Canadian Presence

A key highlight of the mission was the Nova Scotia Networking Reception, hosted by the Province of Nova Scotia and MRC in partnership with the Government of Canada. With strong attendance from global industry leaders, the event underscored Nova Scotia’s commitment to advancing offshore wind development, including its first upcoming call for bids.

The reception also marked an important milestone for international collaboration, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Smulders and MRC members Riggs Distler and Cherubini Bridges & Structures. This strategic Teaming Agreement will support the fabrication and delivery of offshore renewable energy infrastructure in Nova Scotia, demonstrating the tangible outcomes that can result from international engagement.

In addition, MRC’s Executive Director, Elisa Obermann, presented at the Canada-Europe Marine Renewable Energy event hosted at the Embassy of Canada to Spain. Her remarks provided an update on Canada’s offshore wind sector and highlighted opportunities for collaboration between Canadian and European partners.

The mission concluded with Elisa presenting at the UK-Canada Delegation Networking Breakfast at the UK Pavilion, where she shared further insights into the Canadian offshore wind market and continued to strengthen engagement with international stakeholders.

Engagement Beyond the Agenda

The official program featured a range of targeted events, sessions, and meetings with delegations, as well as industry associations and clusters from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. However, much of the mission’s impact was driven by the extensive engagement that took place beyond the formal itinerary. Dozens of one-on-one business-to-business (B2B) meetings were conducted by participating companies, alongside many more informal discussions throughout the conference.

The Canada/MRC booth served as a central hub for these interactions and was consistently active over the three days. It welcomed a steady flow of developers, supply chain representatives, and government officials. Visitors expressed strong interest in Canada’s offshore wind potential – particularly in Nova Scotia – and were eager to explore opportunities to collaborate with Canadian companies both domestically and in international markets.

This high level of engagement reflected a broader trend: Canada is increasingly being recognized as a serious and credible participant in the global offshore wind sector.

Collaboration and Support

The success of the mission was underpinned by strong collaboration across industry and government. Canadian companies were well represented and highly engaged, contributing to a unified and coordinated presence.

Canadian Trade Commissioners in attendance played a critical role throughout the event, spending significant time at the Canada booth supporting Canadian companies, facilitating introductions, and connecting delegates with organizations in their respective regions. Their efforts were instrumental in advancing B2B discussions and ensuring that Canadian participants were well positioned to capitalize on opportunities.

The team from the Embassy of Canada to Spain provided exceptional on-the-ground support, assisting with meeting coordination, booth engagement, and overall mission delivery. Their involvement helped maximize the impact of Canada’s presence at WindEurope.

Growing Global Interest in Canada

Across all engagements, a clear message emerged: international interest in Canada’s offshore wind sector is strong and growing. Canada is increasingly viewed as a market with significant potential, supported by a capable and experienced supply chain.

This momentum was further reinforced through the signing of a MOU between MRC and the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, establishing a framework for collaboration. The agreement will support information sharing, strengthen connections between Canadian and Spanish industry, and create new opportunities for joint activities and partnerships – further positioning Canadian companies within the global offshore wind and marine energy value chain.

Looking Ahead

Building on the momentum from WindEurope 2026, Marine Renewables Canada is already preparing to lead a Canadian delegation to WindEurope 2027 in Copenhagen. This continued engagement will further strengthen international partnerships and support Canadian companies in accessing global markets.

MRC’s international trade missions and business development initiatives are designed to support its members in accessing global opportunities, building partnerships, and advancing Canada’s marine renewable energy sector.

As global interest in Canada’s offshore wind sector continues to grow, MRC invites companies and organizations to join its expanding membership and be part of a coordinated national effort to position Canadian expertise on the world stage.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, and all members of the Canadian delegation for their continued support of MRC and the marine renewables sector.