Nova Scotia approves plans for province’s largest onshore wind farm

The Nova Scotia government has officially approved the plans for what it claims will be the province’s largest onshore wind energy project—the Ocean Lake Wind Project. This decision marks a significant milestone in the region’s push toward renewable energy and aligns with broader national and international efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. Located in Guysborough County on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, the project involves the installation of 158 wind turbines, each standing approximately 221 meters tall. These turbines will be situated near several small communities including New Harbour, Goldboro, Larry’s River, Lundy, and Roachvale. Construction is set to begin in 2029, with the entire project expected to be completed by 2034. To ensure environmental and public health protections, the project must adhere to 61 specific terms and conditions.

The Ocean Lake Wind Project is developed jointly by EverWind NS Holdings Ltd., a Canadian energy infrastructure firm, and the Membertou Development Corp., which operates under the Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton. This collaboration highlights the growing role of Indigenous partnerships in major infrastructure developments within Canada. Additionally, Everwind Fuels, a subsidiary of the group, is advancing a groundbreaking initiative in Cape Breton—developing one of North America’s first large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia projects. This project, initially planned to be powered by 650 megawatts of electricity from four existing wind farms, aims to produce around 200,000 tonnes of clean ammonia annually. Ammonia serves as a crucial medium for transporting hydrogen over long distances, making it vital for decarbonizing industries reliant on heavy transport.

The Ocean Lake Wind Project is intended to support the second phase of Everwind Fuels' hydrogen and ammonia ambitions. Once operational, the wind farm is projected to generate approximately 1,200 megawatts of clean electricity, sufficient to supply power to roughly 400,000 households. According to the Nova Scotia government, this level of output would significantly reduce the province’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.94 million tonnes—equivalent to removing 420,000 gas-powered vehicles from the roads. Furthermore, the project is anticipated to create over 400 construction jobs during its development phase, contributing nearly $11 million in annual tax revenue to the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.

Nova Scotia has been actively pursuing a greener energy future, with a commitment to phase out all coal-fired power plants by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation by more than 90% compared to 2005 levels. This shift is part of a larger trend in Canada, where provinces are increasingly investing in renewable resources such as wind and solar. Moreover, Canada and the European Union have entered into collaborative agreements to facilitate the export of Canadian hydrogen to Europe, helping nations like Germany reduce their dependence on Russian energy imports.

Despite these promising developments, challenges remain. In March 2026, Everwind Fuels’ CEO, Trent Vichie, acknowledged that the company had not yet secured any customers for its hydrogen and ammonia products. This underscores the ongoing need for market development and policy support to make such ambitious projects viable. Nevertheless, the approval of the Ocean Lake Wind Project represents a critical step forward in Nova Scotia’s journey toward sustainability and energy independence. As the project moves closer to realization, it will likely serve as a model for other regions seeking to harness renewable energy while fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship.