Atlantic Canada, home to some of the world’s strongest offshore and onshore wind resources, is ready to drive clean energy growth and support emissions reduction targets through new projects, according to the findings of the Atlantic Wind Energy Supply Chain Assessment.
Commissioned by Marine Renewables Canada (MRC) with support from the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation, and executed by Xodus Group and their team of local consultants, the report reveals significant opportunities for regional businesses to participate in the growing renewable energy sector.
With existing onshore wind and more projects in advanced development plus tremendous offshore wind potential, across the Atlantic provinces, the region is gaining momentum. This growth is driven by rising global demand for renewable energy and emerging green hydrogen opportunities.
The report underscores the region’s strengths in offshore and onshore wind energy development and provides clear recommendations for expanding the supply chain to maximize local economic benefits. However, strategic investments in supply chain development and workforce training will be necessary to ensure local businesses can fully capitalize on these opportunities and meet the scale of projected demand.
Key findings
- Growing workforce demand: Depending on development scenarios, offshore wind projects could generate up to 6,000 jobs at peak times under a medium scenario, while onshore wind projects could generate up to 5,000 jobs at peak times under the same scenario.
- Supply chain strengths: Atlantic Canada has a skilled workforce and established companies in areas such as marine operations, logistics, and environmental consulting, making it well-positioned to support both onshore and offshore wind projects. Among the 1,070 companies assessed for offshore wind, approximately 21%–28% were identified as ‘highly applicable,’ meaning they have direct experience and relevant products and services to meet the growing demand for new projects. Similarly, for onshore wind, about 22% of the 950 companies evaluated fell into same category, with another 100 companies showing great potential to enhance their capabilities to meet the industry needs.
- Opportunities for Indigenous participation: Indigenous businesses and organizations bring unique strengths such as land stewardship, community engagement, sustainable practices, and have strong potential for project equity participation and supply chain contributions. The report found that 16% of assessed companies in the Atlantic Canada are diverse- or Indigenous-owned enterprises, highlighting a strong foundation for inclusive growth.
- Addressing gaps: While the region has notable strengths, additional investment in infrastructure, workforce training, and specialized manufacturing will further enhance the local supply chain’s competitiveness. Recommendations include leveraging existing supply chain strengths, strengthening industry ecosystem support, encouraging supply chain diversity, supporting Indigenous involvement, expanding workforce training programs, improving access to wind energy jobs, fostering policy support for local economic benefits, increasing industry awareness, and driving innovation.
More Information
→ Access the Executive Summary and the full Atlantic Wind Energy Supply Chain Assessment here.
Marine Renewables Canada will be hosting public sessions in each Atlantic province from April 23-28, 2025 to share the results of the report and provide information about opportunities for local businesses and suppliers in the wind energy supply chain. For more details and to register, visit: www.marinerenewables.ca/events.
Quotes
“The Atlantic Wind Energy Supply Chain Assessment highlights the incredible potential of Atlantic Canada’s offshore and onshore wind energy sector and the opportunities it presents for local businesses. With strategic investments and collaboration, we can establish a robust supply chain that benefits communities and accelerates our clean energy goals.” – Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada
“With onshore and offshore wind, we have tremendous potential to create green jobs, attract investment and make the move to clean energy. There are opportunities all along the supply chain for these sectors that are making good use of our natural resources and making our region more energy secure.” – The Honourable Trevor Boudreau, Nova Scotia Minister of Energy
“As Prince Edward Island continues to invest in wind power and we work to become a cleantech hub for the region, the Atlantic Wind Energy Supply Chain Study is helping to identify our regional strengths, give advice on addressing gaps, and giving us a guidebook to our next steps.” – The Honourable Gilles Arsenault, Prince Edward Island Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action
“With a strong contingent of existing experience, paired with transferable capabilities from companies in adjacent sectors, Atlantic Canada is well positioned to capitalize on its immense wind resources. As well as the potential for significant green job creation, there is also a significant opportunity for the region’s existing businesses to diversify and access new revenue streams. Xodus and the project team are hopeful the recommendations in this report will help to inform and drive the development of a wind energy supply chain in Atlantic Canada.” – Delia Warren, Lead Renewables Consultant, Xodus Group
About Marine Renewables Canada
Marine Renewables Canada is the national association for tidal, offshore wind, wave and river current energy, representing technology and project developers, suppliers, utilities, Indigenous organizations, researchers, and communities. We strive to champion Canada’s growing marine renewable energy sector through advocacy, engagement, and education and expand market opportunities across the country and globally. Learn more at www.marinerenewables.ca.