Green energy developers are interested in harnessing offshore wind power in Nova Scotia, says an industry expert.
The province announced Wednesday that it is developing a strategy on marine renewable energy. The plan is primarily aimed at tidal power, but offshore wind will be included in the plan.
"We’ve seen (offshore wind) work in Europe," Anthony Ciccone, a Toronto environmental consultant, said in an interview Wednesday.
"There’s a lot of opportunity here to do that. It’s just a question of finding the right market for it."
Ciccone, a principal at Golder Associates Ltd., was in Halifax this week for a renewable energy forum. During a panel Wednesday, he asked provincial officials about the possibility of offshore wind development in this province.
Ciccone, who is involved in a proposal to put wind turbines on Lake Ontario, said the Calgary-based consulting firm recently opened offices in Halifax and St. John’s.
An Energy Department official told the panel the province doesn’t expect a flurry of offshore turbines, although they could be allowed under upcoming legislation.
"It’s fair to say that we’re not looking for a lot of offshore wind in Nova Scotia in the near term and we’re not looking for a lot of offshore wind anywhere near the coastline," said Bruce Cameron, the department’s executive director of renewable and sustainable energy.
Cameron said offshore wind may be a hard sell with the public and not just because of concerns about the possible impact on the fishery.
"From time to time, in coastal communities, there are concerns about onshore wind that may be on their back doorstep. I’m pretty sure that . . . putting it on their front doorstep is going to be a bit of a challenge."
While a large-scale wind farm wouldn’t fly in Mahone Bay, for instance, one may be possible farther out on the Scotian Shelf, Cameron said.
A Nova Scotia Power executive told the panel that onshore turbines would likely be given preference over offshore ones.
"At this stage, there are a number of good onshore sites available," said Robin McAdam, the utility’s vice-president of sustainability.
Across Canada, some proposed offshore wind projects have stalled recently.
A British Columbia project that included up to 110 turbines hit a hurdle in March 2010 when BC Hydro dropped it from a list of green energy projects being considered, according to CBC News.
Three similar farms planned for Ontario’s Great Lakes have been in limbo since February, when the province placed a moratorium on such projects, saying more study was needed, CBC reported on its website in March.
Nova Scotia’s marine renewable energy plan will be based on a report by Dalhousie University oceanographer Bob Fournier. Energy Minister Charlie Parker said Wednesday he accepted Fournier’s 27 recommendations.
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