Canada has become a member of the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA), a coalition aimed at accelerating offshore wind development through international collaboration. The Governments of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have also joined GOWA as subnational members.
By joining GOWA, Canada gains access to global expertise that will help strengthen its offshore wind industry, complementing progress already made in the sector. Key developments include:
- The passage of Bill C-49, which updated the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord, creating a legal framework for offshore renewable energy and expanding the role of offshore petroleum regulators to include renewable energy.
- The introduction of the Canada Offshore Renewable Energy regulations, which set safety and environmental standards for developers and laid the groundwork for future regulations.
- Regional assessments of offshore wind in Atlantic Canada, which evaluated potential project impacts and proposed mitigation measures to guide future development.
- Investments in initiatives like the Offshore Wind Indigenous and Coastal Community Grant and the Atlantic Canada Offshore Wind Integration and Transmission Study, aimed at identifying the best areas for future offshore wind projects.
The Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) was launched at COP27 in November 2022, with a goal to ramp up global offshore wind capacity. With over 27 members from governments, the private sector, and NGOs, GOWA aims to reach 380 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, with annual increases of 35 GW through the 2020s and at least 70 GW annually from 2030 onward.
