Nova Scotia and Massachusetts Sign MOU to Advance Offshore Wind Collaboration and Cross-Border Clean Energy Opportunities
Halifax (Nova Scotia), February 4, 2026 – The Government of Nova Scotia and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities for collaboration on transmission planning, grid integration, and the delivery of offshore wind energy from Nova Scotia to the New England electricity grid.
The MOU marks a significant milestone for offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada and reflects a shared commitment to advancing clean, reliable energy across borders. Through this agreement, Nova Scotia and Massachusetts will collaborate on information sharing and joint initiatives related to offshore wind development and market coordination, supply chain development, workforce development, and public engagement and education.
“This agreement signals strong momentum for offshore wind in Nova Scotia and sends an important message to industry on both sides of the border,” said Elisa Obermann, Executive Director of Marine Renewables Canada (MRC). “By working together, Nova Scotia and Massachusetts are laying the groundwork for long-term clean energy cooperation that can benefit our economies, our workers, and our energy systems.”
Unlocking Near-Term Certainty for Industry
“This MOU is an important policy signal at a critical moment for offshore wind in Nova Scotia,” said Jonathan Robinson, Senior Policy Advisor at Marine Renewables Canada. “As the province moves toward a call for bids, bankable offtake opportunities and transmission pathways are essential. Regional collaboration like this helps reduce risk, improve investor confidence and lay the foundation for a competitive offshore wind market in Atlantic Canada.”
The timing of the MOU is particularly important as Nova Scotia prepares for a call for bids for offshore wind development later this year. Industry stakeholders have consistently identified certainty around offtake opportunities – and the transmission infrastructure required to deliver power to market – as the most critical factors in unlocking offshore wind investment in the province.
By establishing a framework to explore cross-border offtake and grid integration, the MOU provides a potential pathway to market for offshore wind energy generated in Nova Scotia, representing a key step toward enabling project development and investment.
More broadly, expanded transmission planning and grid integration across North America can create additional opportunities for renewable energy development, strengthen energy security, and improve system resilience in the face of extreme weather. Recent examples, including the Maritime Link’s support to Newfoundland and Labrador during outages, underscore the value of interconnected electricity systems.
A Pathway to Long-Term Growth and Investment
Over the longer term, successful collaboration on transmission and the development of a bankable offtake agreement could unlock historic levels of investment in Nova Scotia’s offshore wind sector. With world-class wind resources, a growing marine and energy workforce, and increasing demand for clean power, Nova Scotia is well positioned to play a leading role in the next phase of offshore wind development in North America.
The MOU represents an important first step toward realizing that potential – and toward building a more integrated, resilient, and clean energy future for Nova Scotia, New England, and Canada as a whole.
More information
Government of Nova Scotia News Release
About Marine Renewables Canada
Marine Renewables Canada is the national association for tidal, offshore wind, wave and river current energy, representing technology and project developers, suppliers, utilities, Indigenous organizations, researchers, and communities. We strive to champion Canada’s growing marine renewable energy sector through advocacy, engagement, and education and expand market opportunities across the country and globally. Learn more at www.marinerenewables.ca.
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