“It will have an exponential impact on our ability to support the quality of life that we feel the residents of this region deserve.”
STRAIT AREA: Cape Breton Partnership, in collaboration with provincial research department Net Zero Atlantic are launching an engagement survey, gathering insight from residents about the future of offshore wind development in the area.
The Nova Scotia provincial government set a 2030 target to offer leases for five gigawatts of offshore wind energy.
According to a May 30, statement released by Cape Breton Partnership, “In the past year there has been unprecedented interest in the potential for offshore wind in Unama’ki – Cape Breton and across Nova Scotia, as the region has been recognized as having a world-class wind resource and as a potential hub for offshore wind development.”
The Cape Breton Partnership and Net Zero Atlantic will be engaging and consulting local communities, rights-holders, and stakeholders before any future development.
“The Cape Breton Partnership wants the economic, cultural, social, and environmental values of Unama’ki – Cape Breton to be reflected in any future proposed development,” stated Tyler Mattheis, President and CEO of Cape Breton Partnership in the release. “The community feedback we receive through this survey will help to inform future engagement strategies and encourage sustainable and equitable development that can provide positive growth in communities across Unama’ki – Cape Breton.”
Due to high wind speeds, Sven Scholtysik, Research Manager at Net Zero Atlantic said from their research completed, they continuously see the enormous potential in Cape Breton and especially the Strait Area for offshore wind energy.
“When you look at the data it actually is quite staggering how windy it is on average here compared to other parts of the world,” said Scholtysik.
He said the survey will help provide insights that will help better serve the communities they are collaborating with.
“There’s a big focus from the industry on the Strait Area in Cape Breton at the moment, there’s lots of projects going in there that have the potential in the future to be expanded to offshore wind,” said Scholtysik.
Co-chairs of the Strait of Canso Offshore Wind Task Force, Richmond Warden Amanda Mombourquette and Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisolm-Beaton, said the goal of the survey is finding out how people want to be engaged.
“We really want it to be a community effort and so far, the work of the task force has been very grass roots and this is the way we want to keep it,” said Mombourquette.
The task force formed about a year ago with the purpose to gather community partners, rights-holders and stake-holders. While also building a collective voice around advocating for offshore wind, making sure the area has a strong voice in the sector.
Mombourquette says they’ve given over 50 presentations in the last two years and have consultations with lots of municipalities and First Nations communities have already taken place. However, they want to make sure everyone has a chance to be consulted and will be continuing the engagement and receiving feedback.
She says there are all kinds of opportunities concerning the export of green energy globally, but there’s also the potential for domestic use here as well.
“Knowing we are part of that, it’s phenomenal. However, think about the local impact, we are already talking with folks and working with partners to talk about expanding domestic use of the energy we’re able to produce off of our shores here,” said Mombourquette.
“Domestic use has to be part of equation, we want to be a hub of clean energy. So, for us that has to include both domestic and export opportunities.”
With two major hydrogen production facilities already in the works in the Strait Area, Mombourquette says the industry will be transformational for the region and the people who live in it.
“Because it would mean more tax dollars going into our system, which in turn will mean our ability to support the things which are important to people,” she said.
“It will have an exponential impact on our ability to support the quality of life that we feel the residents of this region deserve.”
Chisolm-Beaton said the tapping into the Strait Area’s world class wind resource will be a game changer for not only the local region, but the province and nation as well.
“There’s a lot going on and we are really excited.”
Building a diverse economy and entering a growing sector will in turn help grow what the area offers for jobs and quality of life.
“So, we do have a great diverse economy here, but building on that global green energy paradigm shift — it’s wonderful to be major players in that shift and create this new industry.”
The survey is open to all residents and business-owners of Unama’ki – Cape Breton and will be focusing on past engagement and future engagement needs, as well as other related items to the impact of future offshore wind development.