New England looks north as Canada prepares to power the region
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As the United States stumbles in its offshore wind ambitions, New England is turning to its northern neighbor for a potential energy solution. Nova Scotia has unveiled Wind West, a sweeping plan to develop dozens of gigawatts of offshore wind power along its Atlantic coastline. While the province consumes only a fraction of that potential, its leaders see an opportunity to export clean electricity south, to a region now left in uncertainty by Washington’s shifting energy policies.
Over the past year, conversations between Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and New England governors have intensified. At the same time, interest in Canadian wind surged. More than 700 people attended the recent Marine Renewables Canada conference in Halifax, more than double the year before. Shortly afterward, Eastern Canadian premiers and New England governors reaffirmed their commitment to cross-border energy collaboration. Among the most discussed possibilities is a transmission line connecting Nova Scotia’s future wind farms with the U.S. grid.
“There’s a natural trading relationship and a natural friendship,” Houston said in an interview. “We can trust each other and support each other.” With pressure mounting to meet climate goals and modernize regional grids, that friendship may soon translate into cables, contracts and billions of dollars in investment.
Canada’s offshore wind push
At present, Canada has no operational offshore wind farms. But Nova Scotia’s Wind West project seeks to change that. Touted as a cornerstone of Atlantic Canada’s energy transition, Wind West could generate up to 66 gigawatts of power at peak capacity, with about 40 gigawatts deliverable on a continuous basis. By comparison, that would represent more than a quarter of Canada’s current electricity demand.
The plan designates four offshore zones for initial development, including French Bank and Sable Island Bank. A regulatory process is now underway to offer the first round of leases, with three to five gigawatts of capacity expected. The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator is collecting public comments until mid-January, after which it will open bidding.
While domestic use remains a driver, export opportunities are central to the project’s economic case. Several existing transmission lines already link Canadian provinces with the northeastern U.S., and new cross-border cables are under consideration. A report by Power Advisory, a Massachusetts-based consultancy, estimated that building such a cable could cost between $6 billion and $8 billion.
Much of Wind West’s long-term viability depends on investment incentives. Currently, Canada offers clean energy tax credits set to expire in 2034. Industry groups are lobbying for an extension to 2040 to align with the offshore wind construction timeline. Houston said early pricing discussions with U.S. governors are underway and a memorandum of understanding with Massachusetts may follow.
A US industry in retreat
Across the border, the outlook for offshore wind is bleak. Since President Trump’s return to office in January, federal permitting has slowed and budget support for clean energy initiatives has dwindled. Several high-profile U.S. projects have been canceled or delayed due to rising costs, regulatory uncertainty and lack of federal coordination.
New England was banking on domestic offshore wind to meet its decarbonization goals. States like Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island had integrated wind power into their climate and grid modernization plans. But with federal support withdrawn, the region now faces a shortfall that could derail targets and undermine economic development plans tied to the clean energy supply chain.
John Dalton, president of Power Advisory, said that while Canadian imports may not have been part of the original plan, they are now becoming more relevant. “The New England states were relying on wind as a foundational resource,” he said. “As the Trump administration delays or stops domestic projects, the states have to look elsewhere.”
A regional alliance with global implications
State and provincial leaders on both sides of the border appear committed to advancing the vision. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s office said it remains engaged in discussions with Nova Scotia. Her Department of Energy Resources emphasized the opportunity for shared infrastructure, economic benefits and workforce development.
Maine, too, is watching closely. Dan Burgess, the state’s acting energy commissioner, said regional coordination with Canada is key to achieving shared energy goals. “We’re closely tracking the development of clean energy resources in Canada,” he said.
Still, there is resistance. Daniel Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association, said imported offshore wind may not be cost-effective. Transmission lines over such long distances would add complexity and price risk. He also pointed to the reliance on regulatory approvals and tax credits that have yet to be secured. “I struggle to see why that’s the best, most competitive deal for New England,” Dolan said.
Initial estimates suggest that full-scale deployment of Wind West could cost more than $40 billion, including both wind installations and transmission. Proponents argue that the long-term payoff in grid reliability, emissions reductions and job creation justifies the investment.
A strategic pivot in North American energy
Whether Wind West succeeds will depend on the pace of permitting, the resilience of cross-border relations and the market appetite for imported clean energy. Houston remains optimistic. With wind speeds peaking during winter demand surges, and seabed conditions favorable for fixed-bottom turbines, Nova Scotia could become a strategic supplier.
U.S. presidential approval would be required for any new transmission line crossing the border. At present, it is unclear how the Trump administration views Canadian wind imports. Yet geopolitical tensions and domestic energy stagnation may paradoxically open the door for a new energy relationship, one shaped less by proximity and more by shared necessity.