Canada and Nova Scotia launch pre-qualification for historic offshore wind sale

The Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator (CNSOER) has formally initiated the pre-qualification process for the country's first offshore wind farm auction, in the offshore area between Canada and Nova Scotia.

On October 16 2025, the regulator opened both a Call for Information (NS25-1R) and the Pre-qualification window (NS25-1R), each running 90 days until January 13 2026. 

The process follows a Strategic Direction issued jointly by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia in September 2025, which cleared the way for the upcoming offshore wind Call for Bids. 

Interested companies are required to submit submissions that demonstrate their financial, technical, legal, and social capacity to develop offshore wind at scale; only pre-qualified bidders will be eligible to participate in the official Call for Bids. 

As part of the Call for Information, the regulator is also seeking feedback from Indigenous groups, the fishing industry, the public, and other key stakeholders on the location of parcels within the designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) and on draft terms and conditions for submerged land licenses. 

This milestone marks a key step toward Canada’s entry into the offshore wind sector, with the designated WEAs already announced in July 2025 as part of its push to develop large-scale offshore wind capacity.